Amidst calls for higher standards for truck driver training, the Entry Level Driver Training Advisory Committee (ELDTAC) has published its recommendations for review by the FMCSA.
Though they have been slow to make any progress on the rule that has been on their to-do list for years, it appears that the FMCSA is at least getting suggestions from good sources.
The ELDTAC is a group of individuals pulled from throughout the industry to provide guidance and recommendations for rule makers who are looking to implement new driver training standards. Committee members include not only a director for the ATA, an associate administrator for the FMCSA, and heads multiple large carrier-oriented groups, but also representatives from small fleets and even an independent O/O, Bryan Spoon.
Even though not even all members of the committee agreed on everything – a fact that shows just how divided the industry is on the issues – the ELDTAC has finally issued a “consensus recommendation.” At the top of the list: “Class A CDL trainees shall be required to receive a minimum of 30 hours of behind-the wheel training.”
The list goes on and includes many, many other proposed rules (you can see all of them here), but this is the rule that has received by far the most attention – both positive and negative.
This recommendation passed with 24 members of the panel voting in favor and only 2 voting against it. But those two negative votes represent an incredible amount of influence within the transportation industry: The American Trucking Association and the National Association of Small Trucking Companies.
Voicing dissent for the ATA was their man on the inside, Boyd A Stephenson, who is the director of Hazardous Materials and Commercial Licensing Policy. Stephenson noted in his dissenting vote that the ATA claims that “there is no scientific basis for an hours-based behind-the-wheel training requirement.” The NASTC joined the ‘no’ vote saying that they were concerned that a minimum 30 hour requirement might just be the beginning and it might be increased later. They also claimed that a performance requirement “would seem a more robust standard for entry-level driver training than hours.”
But while the ATA and the NASTC’s voices carry a lot of weight in the industry, it cannot go unnoticed that they were the lone voices speaking against the 24 other members of the committee who all agreed that a 30-hour behind-the-wheel requirement would be a step forward in the fight against poorly trained drivers.
Proponents of the rule also claim that the 30-hour requirement would be extremely effective in cutting down of “CDL mills” which only give new drivers enough training that they have a reasonable chance of passing the skills test, while neglecting to teach them skills that would keep them safe while driving out in the real world.
Though the ELDTAC doesn’t have the power to implement this or any of the changes directly, the recommendations will be heard by the FMCSA and will supposedly carry some weight. You can read the rest of the recommendations made by the ELDTAC here.
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RickJPII says
30 hrs behind the wheel is really still not enough, but it’s a start. I have no empathy for drivers who take shortcuts and go to CDL mills. I got my CDL through a technical college that’s part of the Broward County public school system and I will bet my d*ck that I paid less than some of those idiots who go to CDL mills and only drive 10 hrs. Have seen many not even be able to do a simple straight back, let alone a 45 left back. I drove 1,100 miles in CDL school and have had to coach, and even park some rigs for some of these idiots when they try and park at truck stops, and don’t even know how to set up their backing.
Steve says
I know where you are coming from. I too trained through the Broward County School System. McFatter to be precise and the training was second to none! 9.5 weeks for about $6 or 7 hundred bucks. When I finally got to Cannon Express (remember them – an appalling trucking company), I was SHOCKED by how much some of the other guys had paid for 2 or 3 weeks. I think the most was $5,000 but that was in 1995!!
I have absolutely zero faith in ANY trucking company to train a new driver. The idiot that I was assigned to was an egomaniac that was jealous of the trainer that I had in Florida and his first pearl of wisdom was to force me to change drivers whilst driving at 60mph going down the road!!! This fools name was Mark Stark and we can only hope that he is no longer in the industry.
Company training at CR England is ‘done’ by other students that have been conned into taking a lease. So 6 months means you too can be a trainer and alleviate the financial bleeding coming from every orifice by burning somebody else’s logbook. I taught the twit I was ‘teamed’ with how to run team effectively and slow the hell down. Also run a proper shift system. That was the first time he ever made any money with that illustrious ‘training’ company.
Now I am an oo and frankly I think that it is ONLY freelance oo’s that could train somebody effectively. If I did train somebody I would tell them straight that they are going to be training for 6 months not a day less. Even 6 months is a bit slim.
Michael Bish says
I agree with you, and a lot of it has to do with those greedy s.o.b’s who own the schools. Some of them are not getting their 40 hours in the classroom, have maybe if they are lucky 3 instructors and spastic driving times and the school counts driving while doing their testing as training time driving. I think that it is worse than a mill and schools should be forced to have no less than 6 weeks training instead of 4 weeks training. At least they are not trying to force those students though the funnel so damn fast. I know this because I have worked at a couple of them in Washington state that I am not proud of being associated with and no longer there.
jake says
What a joke, 30 hours? These idiots cant drive a year behind the wheel. This industry is a total mess. We have towel heads and scum from every country here making money and they cant read english, cant speak it and certainly cant drive anything but a automatic volvo, we are the biggest joke in world as far as trucking goes….. Bring some more scum and let them deliver the freight then they can bomb a building in their 80,000 lb, missle.
Steve says
Got to agree with every word.
Randy says
And just last week Truckers Report ran the article…C.R. England Trainees Won’t Have Trainers In Seats.. England applied for and now has received from the FMCSA an exemption which will allow their non-CDL holding new hires to drive their routes without needing a driver trainer sitting in the seat next to them.
Add that inequality to the rulemakers list…
HOS rules to keep the public safe from tired drivers carrying pillows and bakery products. But are you carrying explosive fuel /propane during icy weather conditions? Well, that warrants an exemption.
Oversize/overweight? No need to take that 30 minute break all the other drivers so desperately need. Easy stuff, especially through any Atlanta.You obviously aren’t as stressed as those legal weight/size carriers.
No scientific basis found for any of these rules and no improvement in safety.
Can’t wait for the speed mandates. trucks trying to pass one another at top speed of 65. Cars doing 80. Sounds safe to me!
Kelly says
You need to reread the CR England article. The exemption is for drivers who have passed all levels of training, written and skill test, time with trainer. They would have a license issued except they have yet to get to their home state to get the hard copy. So they receive a temporary paper copy permitting them.
I live in Iowa, until last year or so when renewing license, it was given at the DMV on the spot. Now we get a paper copy and its received by mail within 3 weeks. Should we not be allowed to drive either? Think about it.
randy says
I think you misunderstood my meaning. The numerous exemptions being granted is highlighting the uninformed approach that lawmakers are using to put restraints on the transportation industry. Of course, you should be allowed to drive with your paper copy and so why an exemption for CR England and not a rule change? Is it safe to carry explosive material in the winter past HOS just because we need it? We haven’t seen tragic death and mayhem because of that exemption so I tend to agree with it. But if we can maintain safety with those conditions it brings to question the logic behind the entire rule.
Kelly says
Well we both know how fast the government is about making rule changes, unless they’ve come up with it. Then that hasn’t always worked either.
So, in this instance, much less time and effort involved asking to be granted exemption, than waiting or starting the process of a rule change. Years, perhaps?
I would imagine others carriers could receive exemption also, if applied for. This was the start. Will always be negatives and postives, and never will everyone be satisfied or have the same perception.