Unalaska, AK – The state of Alaska is currently in violation of federal regulations regarding commercial drivers' licenses. In some small, off-the-road system communities, drivers can legally drive commercial vehicles with a special exemption license that does not require a skills test. Unalaska is not and never was one of those communities because our traffic volume is too high. However, the state has not enforced the federal laws and has allowed drivers in Unalaska and other towns, such as Nome, Bethel, and Dillingham, to drive without taking the required skills test. Now the state is developing a plan to make sure all communities are in compliance.

Kerry Hennings, the state's drivers licensing manager, says enforcement of the federal law will not start immediately and the state has not set a deadline for taking the skills test yet. When the deadline is set, all drivers will receive notification in the mail and have ample time to complete the test. Hennings does suggest that if you travel to Anchorage or Fairbanks for another reason, it would be worth your while to take the skills test while you are there.

Currently it is not possible to take the test in Unalaska because drivers here do not encounter all of the conditions that must be included in the test. However, Hennings says that some one from her department will come to the community to see if it's possible to simulate the conditions here. Drivers have to be tested on all situations because a CDL can be used everywhere in the country so a driver needs to be prepared. She says part of the reason the law is not currently enforced in Unalaska is because the state understands the cost of traveling to Anchorage and renting a vehicle to take the test.

Hennings also notes that anyone who has a hazardous materials certification will need to have a background check and be finger printed to keep that certification in the future.

Hennings says that her department is taking these changes slowly and will not blindside anyone by requiring official CDLs without ample notice. Their first priority is to provide testing in locations where they can. The new enforcement will affect Unalaska, Angoon, Barrow, Bethel, Dillingham, Kake, Kotzebue, Naknek, King Salmon, Nome, and Wrangell.