The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced a proposal to expand training requirements for entry-level commercial drivers.
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The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on March 7, would require first-time commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants, drivers seeking a license upgrade or an additional endorsement, and previously disqualified CDL holders seeking to reacquire a license to undergo training that meets the standards specified in the rule. If enacted, the compliance date would be 3 years after the effective date of the final rule.
The training would consist of a combination of behind-the-wheel and classroom elements, with the specifics depending on the type of license the applicant is seeking. There is no proposed minimum number of hours that driver trainees must spend on classroom training, but the training must cover all required curriculum topics appropriate for the type of license or endorsement the applicant is seeking.