FMCSA Proposes New Rules Aimed At Easing Way To CDL

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed two measures aimed at responding to a national shortage of qualified truck and bus drivers. The proposed processes would simplify obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL) for many individuals and reduce administrative expenses for both driver applicants and state driver licensing agencies.

"Taken together, these two proposals will help ease the entry for thousands of qualified individuals into career opportunities as professional truck and bus drivers, a critical occupation facing an acute labor shortage in our country," an FMCSA official said. "We could eliminate unnecessary burdens to both the applicants and the states, save time, reduce costs, and, most importantly, ensure that states only issue commercial driver's licenses to well-trained, highly qualified individuals."

Military licensing and state CDL reciprocity

This proposed rule would allow State Driver Licensing Agencies to waive the CDL knowledge test for qualified veterans and active-duty personnel, including National Guard and Reserves, seeking to obtain a civilian CDL. The waiver would simplify processing and reduce costs for both states and qualified individuals.

FMCSA has long allowed states to waive the CDL skills-test requirement for qualified veterans and active-duty personnel. Thousands of individuals have transitioned from their military service into U.S. civilian jobs as commercial truck and bus drivers under that waiver opportunity.

"We owe so much to the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces," the official said. "This action would be one more way we can assist those with a military CDL who wish to use their extensive training and experience operating heavy trucks and buses into careers as civilians."

Commercial learner's permit validity

This proposed rule would allow states to issue a CDL learner's permit with an expiration date of up to one year, replacing the previous six-month limitation. The added flexibility would eliminate burdensome and costly paperwork for states. It would also eliminate unnecessary re-testing and additional fees previously incurred by individuals seeking a 180-day renewal of their CDL learner's permit.

"At the core of both proposals is safety of the motoring public," the official said. "We will continue to demand that commercial truck and bus drivers, and their employers, adhere to the safety standards that exist to protect all drivers."