The FMCSA recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking with the intention of enhancing flexibility for state driver licensing agencies and applicants.
The proposed changes encompass:
- Granting applicants the choice to undergo a CDL skills test in a state other than their home state.
- Allowing commercial learner’s permit holders who have successfully passed the CDL skills test to operate commercial motor vehicles on public roads without a qualified CDL holder in the passenger seat.
- Eliminating the mandatory 14-day waiting period for applicants to take the CDL skills test following the initial issuance of a commercial learner’s permit.
- Mandating that third-party knowledge examiners adhere to the training, certification, and record-check standards currently applicable to state knowledge examiners.
Since the initiation of a 60-day comment period on proposed CDL changes, numerous truckers have voiced their opposition to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) proposed changes to Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements.
“I have held a commercial driver’s license for 25 years, and I strongly believe that the proposed rule will result in an increase in accidents and incidents involving commercial motor vehicles,” Will Scott wrote. “It is crucial that drivers are required to take a skills test in a state where they are domiciled … I can understand why the carriers mentioned in this document may support this proposed change. However, it is concerning that new drivers are often paid poorly and paired with inexperienced or inadequate driver trainers.”
Jason Griffin, another professional driver, agreed that the proposal is not headed in the right direction.
“I’ve been driving truck for 28 years and seen (good regulations) and a whole lot bad,” Griffin wrote. “I feel like this is a bad one. It seems designed to benefit mega carriers with no regard for anything but making money. Any stroll down social media proves these new drivers need all the training they can get. Half of them have no clue how to drive a truck but (are) turned loose anyway. How could a skills test possibly teach drivers real-life situations? I say no to this regulation change.”
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), a proponent of enhanced driver training requirements for improved safety, has emphasized the need for further improvements despite the implementation of an entry-level driver training rule in February 2022.
“There certainly may be some areas to improve the CDL administration process conducted by the states,” Jay Grimes, OOIDA’s director of federal affairs, said when the proposal was released last week. “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.”
Interested parties have until April 2 to provide comments on the proposal. Already, by Tuesday, Feb. 6, 64 comments were posted on the Regulations.gov website, with many truck drivers expressing their opposition to lowering the standards for obtaining a CDL. Notably, truck driver Jason Griffin concurred that the proposal is a step in the wrong direction.
Those wishing to comment on the FMCSA’s proposal can do so by visiting Regulations.gov and entering Docket No. FMCSA-2023-0015. The deadline for submitting comments is April 2.
Source: Land Line
