FMCSA Announces New Entry Level Driver Training Standards

I dunno what all the complaints are about... Currently there is a zero hour requirement to get a CDL.
This will not affect the 160 hour courses most people use. But remember, that course is not required. It's just handy.

 

Guess that means you probably don't want to let that hazmat endorsement lapse just because who you're hauling for NOW doesn't require it...bad enough having to jump through the hoops already in place with the written test, fingerprinting, and background check...but to have to sit through 30 hours of "behind the wheel" training next to guys trying to get their license for the 1st time? Nope. Not happening at the current pay rates. Before long (if this part becomes a reality) shipping hazmat will be prohibitively expensive due to the lack of "qualified" drivers. Hello $5-10/gallon at the pump! Something tells me that requirement won't make the final cut, and if it does, won't last long before being repealed.

 

The problem I’m getting at is ITS TOO EASY TO GET A CDL.

 

And this reg makes it harder. It's not going far enough sure, but it will still make it harder than today....

 

About time that someone decided to mandate some sort of rules for those whom have never been behind the wheel of 80,000 lbs. Two week wonder schools are a joke, and most trucking company training is the same. We all see where we have headed in this industry today. Autonomous trucks, automatics, ELD's, in cab dash cams, EOBR, Lane change warning devices, and so forth. Maybe we just put a D.O.T officer in the jump seat, or a government official so we are all compliant, and safe.

 

It doesn't make any difference what the FMCSA does or doesn't do as long as the largest carriers can easily buy and demand exemptions and waivers from well-connected Washington players.