FMCSA’s announcement of a two-year delay in ELDT implementation brings swift response from driver training sector, including the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA), which decried the latest delay in the Entry-Level Driver Training regulation that was set to take effect on February 7, 2020.
This decision by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration further delays all ELDT requirements almost a full decade after Congress directed the agency to act, CVTA said. It deals a blow to safety advocates and the professional driver training community that has been advocating for a more comprehensive curriculum.
“While news of the full delay is not unexpected, it is very disappointing to the entire commercial vehicle training community as well as safety advocates who have seen this as a critical step towards improving highway safety,” said CVTA President Don Lefeve. “From large organizations to one-man trainers, ELDT will create a training standard that will positively impact every driver responsible for driving an 80,000-pound vehicle on our roadways. Put simply, the ELDT rule is in the interest of everyone’s safety.”
The ELDT rule applies to both interstate and intrastate commercial drivers seeking a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Unlike numerous state laws on commercial driver training that provide exemptions for employers, or have lax training requirements, ELDT requires anyone seeking a CDL to receive formal training, register with the FMCSA, and teach the proper curriculum.
“CVTA will continue to push for ELDT implementation prior to the new February 7, 2022 compliance date,” Lefeve said. “We look forward to working with the FMCSA and all interested parties to speed up implementation and lead outreach to states and industry stakeholders.”