City bus drivers seeking FMCSA exemption from ‘under-the-hood’ requirements

The American Public Transportation Association has requested an exemption for ‘under-the-hood’ requirements for public transportation bus drivers. 

The APTA filed for a five year exemption with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that would allow public transportation drivers to forgo the mechanical knowledge requirements typically included on the CDL exam. The APTA cites potentially severe driver shortages as the reason for the exemption request. 

“This exemption is crucial for addressing the severe workforce challenges facing our industry while maintaining our unwavering commitment to safety,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas in a release. “The current CDL ‘under-the-hood’ testing requirement has become a significant barrier to recruiting qualified transit operators, at a time when our industry desperately needs them.”

If granted, the exemption will take all responsibility for vehicle maintenance off of the bus drivers. Any and all vehicle maintenance would be handled by trained mechanics. 

The request states that “the CDL ‘under-the-hood’ requirement creates unnecessary barriers for otherwise qualified candidates,” and that the switch to electric vehicles is making the testing obsolete. 

“Public transit agencies employ dedicated maintenance professionals who are responsible for vehicle inspections and repairs,” Skoutelas continued. “Removing this unnecessary barrier will help us attract qualified candidates while maintaining our industry’s exemplary safety record. The proposed five-year exemption would provide a runway for state authorities to update their training and credentialing programs, giving transit agencies the flexibility to meet pressing workforce demands.”

The same exemption was granted to the school bus industry in 2022 and expires at the end of this month.