Bituminous Insurance Companies

FMCSA Proposes Enhanced CDL Training Requirements

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a revision to the standards for mandatory training requirements for entry-level operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) who are required to possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Under the proposal, individuals seeking a new or upgraded CDL would be required to complete both classroom and behind-the-wheel training from an accredited educational program or institution.

Current FMSCA training standards, which were promulgated in 2004, only require that entry-level drivers pass classroom “knowledge and skills” testing on CDL concerns.

In 2005, the DC Circuit held that the FMCSA was arbitrary and capricious in promulgating the 2004 standards because it ignored an important conclusion of its own 1995 report, Assessing the Adequacy of Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Training, that behind-the-wheel training is essential. The court remanded the rule to the FMCSA for further processing. The court did not vacate the rule, which still remains in effect.

To address the court’s concerns, FMCSA is proposing new training standards for entry-level drivers that would include behind-the-wheel (BTW), as well as classroom training. For the purposes of the rule, “behind-the-wheel” training includes both training on public roads and training on private property, sometimes called “driving range” training.

Under this proposal, beginning three years after the effective date of a final rule, all applicants for a CDL or upgraded CDL would be required to provide a valid certificate from a truck driving program or institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. The rule would not affect current CDL holders.

For a “Class A” CDL (tractor-trailers), the proposed rule would require a minimum of 76 hours of classroom instruction and 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training, for a total of 120 hours. For “Class B” (large “box” or van trucks) and “Class C” CDLs (hazardous materials or certain passenger-carrying vehicles), the proposed rule would require a minimum of 58 hours of classroom instruction and 32 hours of behind-the-wheel training, for a total of 90 hours. The training curriculum includes CDL safety regulations, vehicle operation, and safe operating practices.

The full text of the proposed rule, Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators, can be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-24769.pdf

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The information contained in this publication was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. ISO Services Properties, Inc., its companies and employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with either the information herein contained or the safety suggestions herein made. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable safety procedure is contained herein or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedure.