Entry-level driver training requirements

§ 380.501 49 CFR Ch. III (10–1–11 Edition)

Subpart E—Entry-Level Driver Training Requirements

SOURCE: 69 FR 29404, May 21, 2004, unless otherwise noted.

§ 380.501 Applicability.

All entry-level drivers who drive in interstate commerce and are subject to the CDL requirements of part 383 of this chapter must comply with the rules of this subpart, except drivers who are subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Transit Administration or who are otherwise exempt under § 390.3(f) of this subchapter.

§ 380.502 Definitions.

(a) The definitions in part 383 of this chapter apply to this part, except where otherwise specifically noted.

(b) As used in this subpart: Entry-level driver is a driver with less than one year of experience operating a CMV with a CDL in interstate commerce.

Entry-level driver training is training the CDL driver receives in driver qualification requirements, hours of service of drivers, driver wellness, and whistle blower protection as appropriate to the entry-level driver’s current position in addition to passing the CDL test.

§ 380.503 Entry-level driver training requirements
.
Entry-level driver training must include instruction addressing the following four areas:

(a) Driver qualification requirements. The Federal rules on medical certification, medical examination procedures, general qualifications, responsibilities, and disqualifications based on various offenses, orders, and loss of driving privileges (part 391, subparts B and E of this subchapter).

(b) Hours of service of drivers. The limitations on driving hours, the requirement to be off-duty for certain periods of time, record of duty status preparation, and exceptions (part 395 of this subchapter). Fatigue countermeasures as a means to avoid crashes.

(c) Driver wellness. Basic health maintenance including diet and exercise. The importance of avoiding excessive use of alcohol.

(d) Whistleblower protection. The right of an employee to question the safety practices of an employer without the employee’s risk of losing a job or being subject to reprisals simply for stating a safety concern (29 CFR part 1978.

§ 380.505 Proof of training.

An employer who uses an entry-level driver must ensure the driver has received a training certificate containing all the information contained in § 380.513 from the training provider.

§ 380.507 Driver responsibilities.

Each entry-level driver must receive training required by § 380.503. (Emphasis mine.)
​

§ 380.509 Employer responsibilities.

(a) Each employer must ensure each entry-level driver who first began operating a CMV requiring a CDL in interstate commerce after July 20, 2003, receives training required by § 380.503.

(b) Each employer must place a copy of the driver’s training certificate in the driver’s personnel or qualification file.

(c) All records required by this subpart shall be maintained as required by § 390.31 of this subchapter and shall be made available for inspection at the employer’s principal place of business within two business days after a request
has been made by an authorized representative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

§ 380.511 Employer recordkeeping responsibilities.

The employer must keep the records specified in § 380.505 for as long as the employer employs the driver and for one year thereafter.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title49-vol5/pdf/CFR-2011-title49-vol5-sec380-513.pdf (PDF, 154KB)


[HR][/HR]
Land Line article 4/2/2014

DRIVER TRAINING: Decades later, still no entry-level training required

By David Tanner, Land Line associate editor

The history of entry-level training for truck drivers is decades long, yet a national standard still does not exist. OOIDA is working to change that.

Following is a timeline that shows various efforts, proposals and comments related to entry-level training – and the push to make it a national priority.

1935 – The Motor Carrier Act of 1935 directs the secretary of transportation to promote the safe operation of commercial vehicles.

1976 – The Federal Highway Administration issues an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on “recommended practices” to improve training for commercial drivers. Data shows that drivers have more accidents during their first few months of employment.

Early 1980s – The administration’s Office of Motor Carriers calls for technical guidance on truck-driver training.

1985 – The Office of Motor Carriers issues a 320-hour “Model Curriculum for Training Tractor-Trailer Drivers.” It includes at least 208 hours of actual driving: 92 hours on off-street driving ranges and 116 hours on actual streets. In comments to the administration, a number of big motor carriers argue that it would be too expensive to train drivers.

1985 to Present: http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=26797#.U6t704YpBD8

 

Well... we can surely agree an entry level driver needs a lot more training than the 4 required by §380.503. They are after all just 4-wheelers... until they skip across the PTI practically none of them learned well enough to remember for 2 weeks before releasing the brakes on that first solo run.

I grew up on a farm, spent 7 years in combat arms, truck driving is the hardest job I ever had. Forget the physical, for me it was the mental effort.