7109.19,60
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
MISSOULA, MONTANA
FSH 7109.19 - FLEET EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
Region 1 Supplement No. 7109.19-94-1
Effective September 1, 1994
POSTING NOTICE: Supplements to this title are numbered consecutively by title and calendar
year. Post by document name. Remove entire document and replace with this supplement.
Retain this transmittal as the first page of this document. The last R1 supplement to this title was
supplement 7109.19-91-2 to chapter 10, 7109.19,11-13.
Page Code
61.2--1 thru 65
(Superseded Sheets)
7
Supplements Covered
17, 10/89
Document Name
7109.19,60
Superseded/New
(Number of Pages)
-
7
Digest:
60.3 - Clarifies Forest Service policy.
60.4 - Provides additional direction concerning Forest Supervisor, driver examiner, supervisor,
and driver responsibilities.
61.1 - Provides additional direction concerning state license requirements, volunteer's
qualifications and Forest Unit minimum requirements.
61.2 - Identifies specific equipment requiring an endorsement on a government identification
card. Provides minimum experience requirements.
61.4 - Provides additional direction concerning minimum age requirements.
62 - Provides additional direction for defensive driver training and learning permits.
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Digest (continued):
63 - Adds an exemption from certain testing requirements for law enforcement officers.
63.1 - Clarifies operating skills test requirements.
63.2 - Provides additional direction for knowledge test requirements. Lists R-1 written tests.
64.1 - Provides additional direction for periodic review of qualifications.
65 - Clarifies payment of special state licenses and reporting of moving violation convictions.
66 - Provides additional direction concerning hours of service, rest stops, off-duty rest and relief
driver requirements. Defines emergency situations. Adds direction for split shifts.
DAVID F. JOLLY
Regional Forester
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FSH 7109.19 - FLEET EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK
R-1 SUPPLEMENT 7109.19-94-1
EFFECTIVE 9/1/94
CHAPTER 60 - QUALIFICATION, TRAINING, AND TESTING
OF MOTORIZED FLEET EQUIPMENT OPERATORS
60.3 - Policy.
Forests and Forest Service drivers shall not seek or accept an exemption from any state driver
licensing, operating, or vehicle inspection requirements.
60.4 - Responsibility.
Each Forest will have at least one lead individual in charge of the driver/operator program. The
driver examiner on each Forest and District shall be responsible for administering the program,
training, testing and recommending individuals for government identification card endorsements
by reviewing and signing the application/qualification (R1-FS-7130-1).
It is the supervisor's responsibility to evaluate new employees and periodically review existing
employees' performance. Supervisors shall make sure their employees are competent and meet all
training, testing, licensing, and operating requirements (see sections 61 thru 64 and section 66).
Drivers are responsible for: maintaining a valid state license with all required endorsements and
medical certificates; reporting all moving violation convictions and license suspensions; and the
safe operation and mechanical condition of the vehicle. Responsibility for the mechanical
condition of the vehicle includes performing pre-operation checks and making sure preventive
maintenance and monthly and annual inspections are done. This information is covered in:
section 65 of this Handbook; Driver/Operator Guide, EM 7130-2; and FSH 6709.11, Health and
Safety Code Handbook.
Delegation of authority to authorize and sign Government Form R1-FS-7130-17 will not be
lower in subunit organization than primary staff.
61 - QUALIFICATION.
61.1 - State License. The appropriate state license and endorsements are required regardless of
where the equipment is operated - trails, Forest Service, or private roads, etc. The only exception
is Forest Service property not accessible to the public.
Volunteers. Volunteers and other human resource program participants under a formalized
agreement must meet all licensing, experience, testing, and training requirements before
operating Government-owned or -leased equipment and motor vehicles.
Forest Unit Minimum Requirements. Forest units are encouraged to strengthen minimum
licensing requirements based on specific conditions. Classes deserving special attention include
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4X4 vehicles, passenger hauling, transporting hazardous materials, medium trucks, air brakes
and trailers over 10,000 pounds GTWR.
61.2 - Identification Card or Document. Operators of Government-owned or -leased vehicles
10,000 lbs. GVWR and greater and other specialized equipment must have in their possession a
Government Form R1-FS-7130-17 with the appropriate endorsement for the equipment being
operated. Types of specialized equipment endorsements must be listed on the reverse side of R1FS-7130-17 with specific sizes, GVWR's, lengths, or classes, and be initialed by an authorized
driver/operator examiner. Section 60.5 of WO parent text defines specialized equipment.
Special equipment requiring a Government Form R1-FS-7130-17 with an endorsement is listed
below, along with the minimum experience requirements for an endorsement.
garden tractors up to 20 h.p. 30 hours operating time
tractors, wheel, 21 h.p. and up100 hours operating time
forklifts 40 hours operating time
crawler tractors, graders, and endloaders300 hours operating time
trucks, 10,000 GVWR to 26,000 GVWR 20 hours or 500 miles
trucks, 26,001 GVWR and larger 80 hours or 2,000 miles
air brakes 20 hours or 500 miles
trailer towing up to 10,000 GTWR 40 hours or 1,000 miles
over-snow vehicles, motorcycles, and ATVs 16 hours operating time
boats up to 22 feet 10 hours operating time
boats, 22 feet and longer 30 hours operating time
Experience operating a similar vehicle of a lesser rating, up to the minimum experience
requirement for the lesser vehicle, will count toward the minimum experience requirement for
the larger vehicle. For example: up to 20 hours experience operating a truck 10,000 to 26,000
GVWR will count toward the experience requirement for trucks 26,001 GVWR and larger.
61.4 - Minimum Requirements for Special Equipment Operators. All drivers/operators of
Government-owned or -leased motor vehicles and specialized equipment (including ATVs) must
be a minimum of 18 years of age. Employees and volunteers under 18 years of age are not
allowed to operate privately owned vehicles when working or providing services for the
Government. The only exception to this is Job Corps enrollees in special training programs.
62 - TRAINING.
Defensive Driver Training. All driver/operators must have had defensive driver training
within the last 3 years. If a new employee
is unable to obtain defensive driver training within 30 days and the employee is required to
operate a motor vehicle to perform his/her duties, he/she will be given the written test for
vehicles up to 9,999 pounds GVWR; will become familiar with the items listed in paragraph 62.1
of WO parent text; review Driver/Operator Guide, EM-7130-2; and take defensive driving as
soon as possible.
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Training Permits. A copy of the application/qualification record (R1-FS-7130-1), signed
by the examiner and supervisor, may be used as a training permit in lieu of a R1-FS-7130-17 ID
card.
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63 - TESTING.
Law Enforcement Vehicles. Law enforcement personnel with advanced driver training are
exempt from testing requirements when operating a law enforcement on-road vehicle under
10,000 pounds GVWR.
63.1 - Operating Skills Test. A hands-on or operating skills test is required for specialized
equipment, vehicles over 9,999 lbs. GVWR, and other groups with Forest discretion.
63.2 - Knowledge Test. A knowledge test, written or oral, is required for all Government ID
card endorsements. Written tests may be administered open book, with the intent that the
individual will learn more about Forest Service policies by studying the Driver/Operator Guide,
EM-7130-2, and FSH 6709.11, Health and Safety Code Handbook.
Regional Operator Tests:
Test for 4X2 Sedans, Trucks up to 9,999 GVWR
Test for Light Trucks with Manual Transmissions
Test for Trucks 10,000-26,000 GVWR
Test for Trucks 26,001 GVWR and Larger
Test for Hazardous Materials
Test for Air Brakes
Test for 4X4 operators
Test for Motor Grader Operator
Test for Wheel Loader with Attachments
Test for Crawler Tractor with Attachments
Test for Self-propelled Scraper
Test for Forklift Operator
Test for Over-snow Vehicles
Test for Trailer Towing
Test for ATV Operator
Test for Trail Cycles and Scooters
Test for Red Lights and Siren Use (Fire)
Test for Motor Boat Operators
Form R1-7130-2
Form R1-7130-2b
Form R1-7130-2a
Form R1-7130-2g
Form R1-7130-2j
Form R1-7130-2i
Form R1-7130-2v
Form R1-7130-2c
Form R1-7130-2d
Form R1-7130-2e
Form R1-7130-2cc
Form R1-7130-2f
Form R1-7130-2h
Form R1-7130-2k
Form R1-7130-2x
Form R1-7130-2m
Form R1-7130-2aa
Form R1-7130-2ee
64 - PERFORMANCE.
64.1 - Periodic Review of Authorization. Unit managers are responsible for developing and
implementing a system to remind supervisors to make a mandatory driver/operator performance
evaluation. This evaluation must be done during the first 30 days for a new employee and every
4 years for permanent employees. The evaluation shall be done annually for employees who are
required to have a commercial drivers license to perform their duties. Document evaluations by
placing a completed Form R1-FS-7130-1, signed by the employee and the immediate supervisor,
in the employee's personnel records.
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65 - EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES.
Responsibility for Licenses. Casual drivers hired under a fire time slip for the purpose of
driving will be required to come qualified with the proper state licenses paid at their own
expense. Benefiting program funds shall pay for permanent, temporary, and seasonal employees'
special state licenses or endorsements that are required to perform their job.
Employees shall report moving violation convictions, received on or off the job, to their
immediate supervisor within 30 days.
66 - HOURS OF SERVICE.
Unless directly involved in an emergency situation, the Forest Service shall not permit any driver
to drive the following vehicles after more than 70 hours on duty during the 8 previous days:
--On road vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 10,000 pounds.
--On road vehicles with a gross combination vehicle weight rating (GCWR) over 10,000
pounds when towing a trailer.
--Other vehicles which require a commercial driver license (passenger and hazardous
materials endorsements).
Driving means all time spent at the driving controls of motorized vehicles or specialized
equipment in operation on or off the road. On-duty time means from the time a driver begins
work, or is required to be in readiness for work, until the time he/she is relieved from work and
all responsibility for performing work.
Emergency Situations. The following are emergency situations:
1.Initial attack of forest fires.
2.Conditions described in the Escaped Fire Situation Analysis (EFSA).
3.Situations that immediately threaten human life or public welfare.
4.Any situation declared an emergency by the Northern Rockies Coordination Center or
Regional Forester's Office.
Any employee or contractor working for the government and released from an emergency
situation that has exceeded any hours of service limitations shall, prior to driving, have 8 hours
off duty where sleeping facilities are available. If the employee has had over 70 hours on duty
during the 8 previous days when released from an emergency, the only driving of vehicles listed
above shall be to return directly to the normal duty location.
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Off-Duty Rest Requirements. All drivers shall have 8 consecutive hours off duty where
sleeping facilities are available prior to beginning any shift requiring driving. The period from
16 to 24 hours after the beginning of a shift shall be considered the rest period.
Rest Stops. Maximum continuous driving time without a rest stop shall be 2 hours.
Drivers of vehicles carrying 16 or more people, including the driver, shall stop for 10 minutes
every hour.
Relief Drivers. A relief driver may be assigned to allow continuous vehicle operation.
When a relief driver accompanies the driver, their shifts shall start and end at the same time. All
driving time, shift length, and rest requirements shall apply.
Split Shifts. Shifts may be split, but the above driving time, shift length, and rest
requirements must be met. Non-driving duties will not be assigned or performed during the rest
period. The maximum time between the beginning and end of the shift, including the rest stops,
shall be 16 hours.