News

All entities that provide entry-level driver training, as defined by the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations (see 49 CFR part 380 subparts F and G), must now access the Training Provider Registry to submit driver training certification records within two business days of a driver’s training completion. Log in to your Training Provider Portal to get started or download the instructions.  

All CDL applicants who are required to take entry-level driver training must use the Training Provider Registry to search for a registered training provider. The interactive provider search is now available.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program website (www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safedriver). FMCSA will continue to build out the site and plan to post FAQs by the end of the month. Should you wish to communicate with FMCSA about this program, the email address is: safedriver@dot.gov.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will issue guidance tomorrow, Thursday, February 3, 2022, explaining that FMCSA’s current statutory regulations do not prohibit third party testers from administering the commercial driver’s license knowledge tests for all classes and endorsements. SDLAs may accept the results of the knowledge tests administered by third party testers under this guidance and in accordance with the requirements set forth in 49 CFR part 383, subparts G and H. Here is the link to the guidance: 2022-02165.pdf (federalregister.gov).

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will publish a Final Rule in the Federal Register on Friday, January 21, 2022, amending regulations permitting individuals who do not satisfy, with the worse eye, either the existing distant visual acuity standard with corrective lenses or the field of vision standard, or both, to be physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce under specified conditions. Currently, such individuals are prohibited from driving commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce unless they obtain an exemption from FMCSA. This new alternative vision standard replaces the current vision exemption program. The Final Rule can be found here: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-01021.pdf.

Presentations for the December and January Annual Conference Sessions are now available online.  Recordings of the January workshops will be uploaded next week.  These are in the members only section of the website, so you will need to log in.

CLICK HERE to view.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is set to publish the following notice in tomorrow’s Federal Register on the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2022-00733/safe-driver-apprenticeship-pilot-program-allow-persons-ages-18-19-and-20-to-operate-commercial-motor.

In summary, On September 10, 2020, FMCSA proposed a pilot program to allow persons ages 18, 19, and 20 to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. That pilot was never implemented. However, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which was signed into law on November 15, 2021, requires FMCSA to establish a pilot program that would allow employers to establish an apprenticeship program for certain 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old drivers to operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. This notice addresses the comments received on the September 10, 2020 notice, and provides the details on the establishment of the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program required by the IIJA.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a Final Rule for motorcoaches establishing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 227, ‘‘Bus rollover structural integrity,’’ to enhance the rollover structural integrity of motorcoaches, and other buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 26,000 pounds to exclude school buses. This final rule requires motorcoaches, among other requirements, provide a ‘‘survival space’’ in a rollover test to protect occupants from the possible collapse of the bus structure; prohibit emergency exits from opening in the rollover test to reduce the likelihood of ejection; and ensure that bus roofs and side wall panels will resist deformation and intrusion into the occupant space. The effective date of this Final Rule is December 30, 2024. The full Final Rule can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-12-29/pdf/2021-27538.pdf.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an exemption request notice from Rosco for their digital camera monitor systems for school buses installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The notice can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-12-21/pdf/2021-27528.pdf. If you are interested in commenting on this waiver request, comments are due to the FMCSA by January 20, 2022.

The CDC as released updated K-12 COVID Guidance, which be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html.

Today, in an effort to help alleviate the school bus driver shortage, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Education announced states would have the option (they may, but not are not required to) to waive the portion of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skills test requiring school bus drivers identify the “under the hood” engine components. Under the agreement, all other written and road test requirements must be met. In addition, drivers receiving a CDL under this temporary waiver would be permitted to operate intrastate school buses only and would not be authorized to operate trucks, motorcoaches, or any other type of commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL. The waiver, which became effective January 3, 2022, will expire on March 31, 2022.

The full waiver can be found here: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license/waiver-certain-pre-trip-vehicle-inspection-skills-test