The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing mandatory training requirement standards for entry-level drivers seeking commercial licenses, according to information in The Federal Register August 15, 2003. The action follows a study that found the training of entry-level drivers in the heavy truck industries was inadequate.
The proposal for 49 CFR Part 380 is not requiring entry-level drivers to receive training in areas that are covered in the commercial driver license (CDL) test. Instead, the required training would address driver qualifications--medical, and drug and alcohol testing, driver hours of service limitations, driver wellness, and whistle blower protection. These are training areas that are not covered in the current CDL test.
In addition, FMCSA is only requiring drivers to be trained in the areas appropriate to their driving occupation as entry-level drivers. Although the proposal does not specify a required number of hours for the training, the agency estimates that it would require approximately 10.5 hours for heavy truck drivers. For more information about the proposal, click here for The Federal Register.