Today, the FMCSA released a proposal to set comprehensive national standards for all entry-level truck and bus drivers who want to obtain a CDL.
ELDT Proposal Requires 30 Hours Behind The Wheel Training For Class A CDL
If the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) proposal is accepted, applicants seeking a Class A CDL would be required to complete at least 30 hours of behind the wheel training, with 10 of those hours taking place on a practice driving range. Driving on a public road for 10 hours would also be required. This could be completed in 10 separate trips of at least 50 minutes in length or longer trips that combine to meet the 10 hour requirement.
Applicants seeking a Class B CDL would need to complete 15 hours of behind the wheel training, with 7 of those hours spent on a public road.
New Standards Would Apply To All Entry-Level Drivers
The ELDT rules would apply to all entry-level drivers and all drivers who want to upgrade from a Class B to a Class A license. The new training requirements would also affect drivers who want to reinstate their CDL as well as drivers who want to obtain a hazardous materials or school bus endorsement. Military drivers, firefighters, and farmers would still be generally exempt from CDL requirements.
The ELDT proposal would also create a registry of driver training providers that are approved by the FMCSA.
If the ELDT proposal is made final, the compliance date would be three years after the final ruling.
You can learn more about the ELDT proposal at the FMCSA’s FAQ.