The final step of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2016 rule on minimum training requirements for entry-level drivers was launched on February 7th. The online Training Provider Registry is now up and running. It lists training providers who have self-certified their compliance with the federal training requirements and records individuals who have completed the required training. The Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations and the Training Provider Registry were mandated under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) and set the baseline for training requirements for entry-level drivers.
Under this rule, entry-level commercial motor vehicle drivers must complete their training with a certified provider from the registry prior to taking their Commercial Driver’s License skill test. Drivers who are applying for a school bus, passenger, or hazardous materials endorsement must complete the training prior to taking their knowledge test.
The rule initially had a compliance date of February 7, 2020, which was extended to 2022. According to the FMCSA, it is the first rule to establish minimum training standards for first-time applicants for a Class A or Class B CDL, or for those who want to upgrade to those classes.
The regulations are not retroactive. Drivers who received their CDL or endorsements prior to the February 7, 2022, compliance date are not required to complete the training for their respective license or endorsement. Individuals who have been issued their commercial learner’s permit before February 7, 2022, are not subject to the requirements, as long as they obtain their CDL before the CLP expires.
“With an increasing number of people applying for CDLs over the past year, there has never been a more important time to implement minimum uniform training standards that ensure new drivers have both the knowledge and skills to operate safely,” said Jack Van Steenburg, FMCSA’s Executive Director and Chief Safety Officer. “The ELDT regulations were developed with input from driver and training organizations, motor carriers, state licensing agencies, safety advocacy groups, and insurance companies. The Training Provider Registry will efficiently connect training providers, entry-level drivers, and State Driver Licensing Agencies to promote compliance with these essential safety regulations.”
Sources
FMCSA. (2022, February 7). FMCSA launches training provider registry to ensure entry-level truck and bus drivers complete training that meets new federal standards. FMCSA. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/fmcsa-launches-training-provider-registry-ensure-entry-level-truck-and-bus-drivers
