The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements until April 2. These adjustments aim to enhance flexibility for state driver licensing agencies and applicants, responding to petitions from the American Trucking Associations and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
Key changes include:
- Allowing CDL skills tests in a state different from the applicant’s home state.
- Permitting commercial learner’s permit holders, post CDL skills test, to operate commercial vehicles on public roads without a qualified CDL holder in the passenger seat.
- Eliminating the 14-day waiting period for the CDL skills test after the initial issuance of a commercial learner’s permit.
- Imposing training, certification, and record-check standards on third-party knowledge examiners, aligning them with state knowledge examiners.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association advocates for strengthening driver training requirements, while truck safety groups express concerns.
“There certainly may be some areas to improve the CDL administration process conducted by the states,” said Jay Grimes, OOIDA’s director of federal affairs. “However, any changes should not sacrifice necessary skills testing or driver training. OOIDA has long expressed opposition to waiving requirements for a CDL holder to accompany a commercial learner’s permit driver in the front seat. Far too many drivers are entering the industry without the proper training to safely operate a CMV. Once again, FMCSA should be finding ways to further bolster training requirements, not weaken them.”
FMCSA asserts that the changes won’t compromise safety and will ensure the integrity of third-party CDL knowledge testing.
“The agency proposes to improve the efficiency and convenience of obtaining a CDL by increasing flexibilities in certain CDL licensing processes, without negatively impacting safety,” FMCSA said.
States would be obligated to include third-party knowledge examiners in auditing and monitoring processes.
To provide feedback on the proposal, visit Regulations.gov and enter Docket No. FMCSA-2023-0015. Comments are accepted until April 2.
Source: Land Line
