A federal rule establishing new baselines for entry-level truck driver training (ELDT) will go into effect on Monday, after years of delay.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and industry associations have been reminding the industry about the deadline for months — there is plenty of information available from FMCSA’s ELDT webpage and from the Commercial Vehicle Training Association — so if you run a driver training school, you are likely familiar with the new regulation and are ready to go.
Individuals who were issued a CDL before to Monday are not needed to complete training for the respective CDL or endorsement because the regulations are not retroactive. Furthermore, if an application receives a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before Monday and obtains a CDL before the CLP expires, the applicant is exempt from the ELDT requirements.
However, if you run a training school and have not yet ensured that you are in compliance with the new legislation, these are the top five things you should do as soon as possible.
1. Improve the curriculum
Before taking the CDL skills exam, entry-level drivers must successfully complete a new prescribed program of theoretical and behind-the-wheel instruction delivered by a school or other entity listed on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR).
The new curriculum includes both theory (training themes include fundamental operation, safe operating procedures, advanced operating practices, vehicle systems and reporting problems, and non-driving activities) and behind-the-wheel training on a range of public road — simulators are not allowed.
2. Sign up for the TPR
All school-based or fleet-based driver training programs must be listed in the TPR, which requires training schools to certify that their curriculum and road theory satisfy the new ELDT standards. If a student attempts to get credentials from an unregistered training school, their state licensing office will reject their application. Schools that make misleading claims about having an updated curriculum may risk federal criminal penalties.
3. Ensure your instructors are qualified
Theory and behind-the-wheel instructors must have held the relevant class of CDL for at least two years and have either two years of driving experience or two years of behind-the-wheel commercial vehicle instructor experience.
The ELDT law does not specify a minimum number of hours behind the wheel; rather, it is up to the instructor to assess when a pupil is competent in safely driving a truck.
4. Make certain that enough equipment and facilities are available.
Trucks used to train new drivers must meet applicable federal and state safety standards and be of the same group and type as the trucks that driver trainees expect to run for their CDL skills test. The classroom and range facilities at the training school must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local statutes and regulations.
5. Keep accurate records
Training-related documentation must be kept for at least three years from the date each required record is made or received, according to the rule. This includes the following:
- Documentation for driver-trainees, including self-certification of compliance and a copy of the CLP.
- Documentation proving instructor qualification, including a copy of the CDL.
- A copy of the registration form that was submitted to the TPR.
- The theory and behind-the-wheel (range and public road) training curriculum, where applicable.
