Focusing on Values and Safety

Barrs opened his address by highlighting integrity as the cornerstone of the trucking profession.

“What are the values of your drivers? What are the values of your company?” Barrs asked. “For me, it has to be faith. It has to be family. It has to be my community, responsibility, and service. I have to live by those principles every single day as I go through and lead this organization. We have a lot of work to do. We’ve done a lot of work over the last few months, but that’s just the beginning of the things that we have planned and the things that we need to do to help clean up the mess.”

His comments underscore the FMCSA’s focus on creating a safer and more professional trucking workforce by ensuring that new drivers receive proper training before getting behind the wheel.

Challenges in the Current CDL Training System

The discussion turned to entry-level driver training. Barrs noted that all prospective CDL holders must complete training through an approved provider, but some programs are failing to meet standards.

“But as we found out real quick after I got here, that’s a problem,” he said. “Some providers were not meeting those standards. Some could not demonstrate that the training was even being delivered.”

Since his appointment, Barrs said the FMCSA has removed more than 7,000 providers from the registry and continues to address what he calls “bad actors.”

“To be honest with you, I would just as soon go through and just clear all of them out and start all over again,” he said. “We have a systematic problem here that we have to work through to ensure … we are putting the right drivers behind the wheel of commercial motor vehicles.”

Why Proper CDL Training Matters

Barrs stressed that professional driver training is essential for safety and credibility in the industry.

“Training is where professionalism begins; it’s the foundation,” he said. “If the foundation is weak, the structure above it is also compromised.”

“Carriers deserve confidence that when they hire a newly licensed driver, the driver has been properly trained,” he added. “Everyone traveling on local American roads deserves assurance that when someone earns a CDL, it represents real competency. The truckload sector is too important to allow weak standards, and there’s more work to be done.”

He also emphasized that earning a CDL should reflect genuine skill, not just paperwork.

“We all understand — or we should understand — that your CDL actually should mean something,” he said, noting that “fly-by-night” training providers and less-than-reputable carriers give the entire industry a bad name.

“Your CDL should represent real training, real qualifications, real competency — and it must be issued in a way that is consistent, resistant to fraud,” he said.

Looking Ahead

While no official plan to start from scratch has been confirmed, Barr’s remarks indicate that the FMCSA is exploring all options to improve oversight of CDL training providers. Drivers and fleet managers can expect stricter standards, more accountability for training programs, and continued efforts to ensure that new CDL holders are prepared for the road.

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FleetForce Truck Driver Training is rolling out a strategic partnership program that delivers Entry-Level Driver Training directly at employer locations. Instead of sending recruits offsite, fleets can now host instructors, training materials, and compliance systems at their own facilities.

For carriers and private fleets, this approach reduces travel time for trainees while helping companies develop drivers within their own operations.

Training Where the Drivers Already Work

Tra Williams, president and CEO of FleetForce Truck Driver Training, says the idea came from the growing gap between drivers leaving the workforce and those entering it.

“Unfortunately, drivers are leaving the industry faster than we are replacing them,” Williams said during TCA Truckload 2026 in Orlando.

Industry data highlights the scale of the challenge. According to the American Trucking Associations, around 1,200 truck drivers retire each week, while more than 200,000 CDL positions remain open nationwide.

Instead of competing for experienced drivers already working for other fleets, Williams argues companies should focus on developing new drivers from within their existing workforce.

“When companies choose to cannibalize drivers by recruiting from their competitors, they are fishing in a pond that is drying up. This is what I like to call workforce hot potato, and there is a better way,” he said.

Turning Warehouse Workers into CDL Drivers

One strategy gaining attention is promoting employees from within. Workers already employed in warehouses, yards, or logistics operations can transition into driving roles with proper training.

Williams pointed to a partnership FleetForce began with Publix several years ago that focused on developing drivers internally. Over time, the retailer shifted to filling driver positions using employees already working within the company.

The approach can also lower hiring costs for fleets. According to Williams, replacing a warehouse associate or forklift operator is often far less expensive than recruiting a CDL driver with experience.

“There are some additional compounding advantages to this as well,” Williams said. “Internal promotion doesn’t just reduce driver recruiting pressure; it also increases retention and strengthens your culture.”

Training Entry-Level Drivers for the Industry

While internal promotion can help fill some positions, Williams says the industry still needs more people entering trucking for the first time.

He noted that many carriers are already hiring entry-level drivers due to the ongoing shortage.

“If we are serious about solving a 250,000 driver shortfall, while 171 drivers retire every single day, we must stop cannibalizing each other,” Williams said. “The only way we will ever solve this problem is by creating the next generation of drivers together.”

Carriers that recruit new drivers can also support their training through agreements that encourage drivers to remain with the company after earning their CDL.

Addressing Another Driver Concern: Truck Parking

Beyond training, Williams is also working on another issue frequently raised by truck drivers: parking availability.

His company, ParkPro, is partnering with the Amerant Bank Arena, home of the Florida Panthers NHL team, to provide space for up to 200 trucks this summer. The program connects fleets and drivers with underused parking areas at large venues.

The ParkPro platform already includes more than 1,100 partner locations, according to Williams. Drivers can suggest and vote on locations where parking is needed most, which helps determine future expansion.

“Many have onsite security, most have lighting and are surrounded by hotels and restaurants, and all ParkPro hosts sit near interstate access and have massive capacity,” he said.

For drivers and fleet operators alike, programs that expand training opportunities and improve parking access could help address two of the industry’s most pressing challenges.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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First Things First: Check Your Eligibility

You have to be at least 18 years old if you want to drive commercial vehicles in Minnesota. If you plan to drive across state lines or haul hazardous materials, you need to be 21. Also, you must hold a valid Minnesota Class D driver’s license right now. You’ll need proof that you legally live in the U.S. and in Minnesota, so gather documents like your passport or birth certificate and a utility bill or lease agreement for residency. Another must-have is passing a DOT medical exam to prove you’re physically fit to drive big rigs.

Start with a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

Before you hit the road solo, get a CLP. It’s like your practice permit. To get one, you’ll take written tests that cover the basics of truck driving and any extra endorsements you want, such as air brakes or hauling hazardous materials. Study the Minnesota CDL Manual; it’s your bible for the written tests. Good news: Twin Cities DMV offices allow walk-ins for these exams, so no need to stress over appointments. Your permit lasts six months. Use this time to build your driving skills under supervision.

Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

This training is federally required. It combines classroom learning with real driving practice, all with instructors from certified schools approved by the government. You’ll get hands-on experience with the kind of trucks and cargo you’ll handle on the job. Once you finish ELDT, you’ll be ready to take the real skills test.

Pass Your CDL Skills Test

The skills test has three parts: checking your knowledge of pre-trip truck inspections, showing safe control over the vehicle in various maneuvers, and passing a road driving test. Make sure to bring your CLP, your medical certificate, proof of training, and your ID to the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services. Passing this test means you’re officially licensed to drive commercial vehicles.

Keep Your License Current

Minnesota CDLs must be renewed every four years. When renewal time comes, be ready to provide updated medical certificates and proof of residency. Staying on top of these keeps you on the road and out of trouble.

Quick Tips for Success

• Study the Minnesota CDL Manual daily until you’re confident.
• Take free online practice tests to get comfortable with exam questions.
• Organize all your paperwork early to avoid last-minute scrambles.
• Visit local DMV offices in the Twin Cities, where walk-ins are welcome.
• Don’t rush; it’s better to thoroughly understand the material than guess and fail.

Getting your CDL in the Twin Cities might feel like a mountain to climb, but with clear steps and some focus, it’s doable. You could be hauling freight and earning in no time.

If you’re looking for CDL-friendly jobs to get started soon, check out open positions on TruckDriversUSA.

The post How to Get a CDL in the Twin Cities: Your Clear Path to Becoming a Truck Driver appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

During a recent congressional subcommittee hearing, Lewie Pugh, Executive Vice President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), stressed the need for more stringent training requirements for new truck drivers.

“In trucking, it’s just a matter of passing a test and getting a CDL, and then you can go anywhere in this country,” Pugh explained to lawmakers. “You take a kid who’s 21 years old. He’s never been out of Florida, and, all of a sudden, he’s heading to the Rocky Mountains in January. We’re probably setting ourselves up for disaster.”

Current Training Standards Lack Depth

Before 2022, entry-level truck drivers weren’t required to meet any formal training standards. Although the introduction of a new rule that year was a step forward, it still falls short. Drivers are not mandated to complete a minimum number of behind-the-wheel training hours.

OOIDA believes that a competent, well-trained driver is the key to improved highway safety. The association has called on Congress to strengthen these training requirements in the upcoming highway bill by introducing a minimum of 30 hours of practical, behind-the-wheel training for new truck drivers.

“We need to make the entry-level driver training program much more aggressive with real hours and real time behind the wheel so that these people are trained and trained correctly to be professional,” Pugh stated. “Until we take the time to invest in our drivers and do all of these things, we are going to continue to lose people from this industry.”

Congressional Support for Safer Roads

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., voiced her agreement with the need for intense training standards. She emphasized how the upcoming highway bill presents an opportunity for Congress to enhance safety across the trucking industry.

“I have long supported strong entry-level truck driver training standards to ensure that truckers are fully prepared to safely operate their vehicles and deliver their freight,” she said. “Providing robust training empowers drivers to be safe and confident on the road.”

Fostering Truck Driving as a Long-Term Career

Cole Scandaglia, transportation policy advisor at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, noted how more substantial training standards could elevate truck driving from just a job to a respected career.

Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the industry provides adequate preparation for newcomers, said Scandaglia.

“[Congress must ensure] that when drivers enter the industry, they’re entering the industry in a way that is going to ensure that this is a career for them,” he explained. “Unfortunately, there are people who go to fly-by-night CDL schools, and they get their CDL in six weeks. They show up to work, and it turns out they can’t back into a dock. That’s a problem, and that person is not likely to stay in the industry.

“So, from Congress’s perspective, I think there are things that can be done in the training sense. Unfortunately, a piece of what we need here is a private-sector response. We need trucking companies to not look at employees as folks you just churn through the meat grinder and then replace them again when they quit.”

Investing in Training for a Safer Future

A consistent theme emerged throughout the hearing: adequate training for truck drivers isn’t just about meeting minimum standards; it’s about prioritizing safety, professionalism, and career sustainability. By addressing the gaps in current training programs and introducing more robust requirements, Congress and the trucking industry can make meaningful progress toward safer roads and a stronger workforce.

With stakeholder advocacy from organizations like OOIDA and the Teamsters, the push for improved driver training standards could transform trucking into a safer, more sustainable, and more respected profession.

Source: Land Line

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To confront this workforce shortage, Mid-Plains Community College has rolled out a groundbreaking entry-level driver training initiative. A highlight of this program is a mobile CDL simulator, offering students a realistic, hands-on experience of piloting a semi-truck. Launched in February 2022 in response to updated federal training standards, the program spans roughly five weeks and has already celebrated around 200 graduates.

“Nationwide, there’s a huge shortage of truck drivers. Nebraska is no exception,” explained Jeff Smeltzer, Coordinator for Business and Community Education at Mid-Plains Community College.

Introducing the Next Generation to Trucking

To generate excitement around trucking careers, the college is proactively bringing its simulator to high schools across the region. This approach provides students a chance to explore what semi-truck driving entails in a virtual setting, allowing them to test the waters before committing to the formal training program.

“It’s a great career, and a lucrative career as well,” emphasized Smeltzer.

One of the recent high school participants, Valentine High School senior Miguel Roberto, had his first opportunity to experience driving a semi through the simulator.

“This is my first time driving a semi,” shared Roberto.

Safe Learning Through Realistic Scenarios

The state-of-the-art CDL simulator introduces more than just basic vehicle operation. It recreates hazardous situations in a safe and controlled environment, equipping future drivers with the skills needed to handle the unexpected.

“We can put drivers in an unsafe situation in a safe manner,” added Smeltzer. “We can put a driver on black ice, have deer run in front of a driver, or cause a tire to blow.”

Addressing Nebraska’s Growing Demand

By providing Nebraska’s youth with an engaging introduction to the trucking profession, Mid-Plains Community College aims to inspire the next wave of professional drivers. Through this innovative outreach strategy, the program hopes to address the surging demand for qualified truck drivers and drive long-term change within the industry.

Source: News Channel Nebraska Southeast

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Current Regulations and Bianco’s Proposal

Currently, federal regulations limit drivers under the age of 21 to operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) exclusively within their state of residence. Bianco, however, seeks to expand access to its training services to non-Michigan residents under this exemption.

The training center is located just 29 miles from the Wisconsin border, making it a convenient option for many Wisconsin-based students. According to FMCSA, Bianco shared that several young aspiring drivers from Wisconsin have expressed interest in joining because the facility is their nearest registered training provider.

Bianco also outlined safety precautions in its application. Under their proposal:

• Under-21 drivers would only operate CMVs when accompanied by a licensed training instructor.

• All range maneuvers would take place on Bianco’s insured and managed training lot.

• Every student must pass a pre-employment drug screening before beginning the program.

Public Input Requested

FMCSA is currently seeking public feedback on Bianco’s petition. Comments can be submitted through Feb. 14 here.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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Unveiling a pioneering curriculum companion that comprises five online modules meticulously aligned with the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards, alongside an assortment of classroom activities, videos, handouts, and evaluations, NGT is poised to provide substantial support to high school educators in delivering a comprehensive yearlong CDL course.

When the course is completed, and students are at least 18, they will be well-prepared to undertake the commercial learner’s permit exam successfully. This curriculum is available free of charge to NGT members and affiliated schools. Thirty-five schools have already shown interest, with expectations of doubling this number next year.

“This is brand new and will be able to get trucking programs in high schools scaled across the country,” said Lindsey Trent, president, and co-founder of NGT. “We hope this will help change the image of trucking. It’s about educating the next generation, their parents, and schools about the trucking industry and supply chain. If we can make trucking a first career choice instead of a second and third, we think that will elevate the image of trucking. They can choose to be a heavy equipment operator, welder, or plumber; why can’t we make trucking a career choice for high school students.”

The curriculum companion is a web-based resource carefully designed to complement online ELDT courses catering to adult learners while adapting materials to suit high school students and through add-ons like hands-on activities. In addition to high schools, Trent anticipates that NGT’s carrier members, who are training providers, will benefit from and be interested in utilizing the curriculum guide.

The course materials are not just geared towards obtaining a CDL but also intend to equip students for long, healthy careers. The course covers safety measures such as SafeWork Training: Powered with Worklete, for injury prevention and The Supply Chain Fitness Company for health and nutrition. It also features practical aspects of having a career, like lab hours with driver simulation training and honing golf cart backing skills. It even includes field trips, guest speakers, and opportunities for industry engagement.

“Imagine how different our industry would look and feel if trucking was a first career choice for more people,” said Dave Dein, co-founder of the NGT Foundation. “Ten years from now, we’ll look back at this point as this defining moment in the trucking industry when high schools took a proactive approach and provided the highest level of training for our students.”

Dein is a teacher at the flagship high school CDL program at Patterson High School. Ricardo Jimenez, a recent graduate from Patterson, said that he had never contemplated trucking as a viable career until a friend encouraged him to enroll in the trucking course.

“I thought it wasn’t a real career and that there was no passion or vision in it … I not only developed a passion for trucking, but I also learned about the impact that truck drivers have around the world,” Jimenez said. “The trucking program at Patterson High School changed my life, and it has changed the lives of many other students who have enrolled in the course. I believe that with more programs like this across the country, we can inspire more young students to find their passion in trucking.”

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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