TheTrucker.com

FMCSA issues final rule streamlining CDL skills-testing process

Reading Time: < 1 minute
FMCSA issues final rule streamlining CDL skills-testing process
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a final rule allowing third-party testers to provide applicants with both skills training and skills testing.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced a final rule to streamline the process for men and women interested in entering the trucking industry. The new rule will allow states to permit a third-party skills test examiner to administer the commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test to applicants for whom the examiner also provided skills training.

“During the COVID-19 public health emergency truckers have been American heroes — and the department is committed to helping our economy by reducing unnecessary barriers for those interested in obtaining jobs in the trucking industry,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.

Federal rules previously prohibited a third-party CDL skills instructor who is also authorized by the state to administer the CDL skills test from performing both the instruction and the qualifying testing for the same CDL applicant. The final rule, announced Dec. 17, eliminates that restriction and permits states, at their discretion, to allow qualified third-party skills trainers to also conduct the skills testing for the same individual. This new rule is designed to alleviate testing delays and eliminate needless inconvenience and expense to the CDL applicant without compromising safety.

“Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the Trump administration has continued to examine ways to provide common-sense regulatory reform and help individuals seeking to enter the commercial driver industry. This new rule will provide states more flexibility during the ongoing public health emergency to test CDL applicants and allow more drivers to safely enter the industry,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Wiley Deck.

The rule change is effective 60 days from publication in the Federal Register. To view a copy of the final rule, click here.

The Trucker News Staff

The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Avatar for The Trucker News Staff
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
For over 30 years, the objective of The Trucker editorial team has been to produce content focused on truck drivers that is relevant, objective and engaging. After reading this article, feel free to leave a comment about this article or the topics covered in this article for the author or the other readers to enjoy. Let them know what you think! We always enjoy hearing from our readers.

3 Comments

Oh Boy! Sandeep and Milocovic are exited about this one.
I’ve seen these “driving schools”. They are training immigrants fresh from overseas in little bitty lots behind a mechanics shop with day cabs and 20’ pup trailers. Elaine Chao is a bumbling idiot. If you want to make it easier for a new applicant to get a CDL then reopen the friggen drivers license bureau’s.
Our roadways are really dangerous now with the huge influx of foreign drivers. They can’t even read the signage. This law is a disaster!

I like that you pointed out that it would be smart to consider getting a CDL license if you want to become a driver. It is nice to know that you will want to consider who your examiner is. Personally, I would want to find a training course that would allow me to do a lot of hands-on places. https://www.cdlrentals.com/cdl-truck-rentals

COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE