CVTA Meets with FMCSA and ATA in Washington, D.C. to Discuss ELDT Noncompliance

Feb 17, 2023

CVTA’s Task Force gathered in Washington D.C. this week to meet with federal regulators and trucking industry stakeholders to address widespread problems of ELDT noncompliance and to deliver specific recommendations to the FMCSA. These meetings were notably successful, with Task Force members presenting new, state-based data and information to a keenly interested Administrator and an audience of federal regulators.

On Thursday, February 16th, CVTA leadership met with FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson and key decision-makers on the Administrator’s team to offer recommendations that would ensure compliance with ELDT’s requirements. CVTA’s Task Force presented detailed state-by-state examples of ELDT non-compliance by entities registered on the Training Provider Registry (TPR), and federal leadership strongly appreciated CVTA’s hard data and specific recommendations. The Administrator agreed with CVTA’s request for regularly scheduled meetings with CVTA as the Agency and stakeholders work together to improve the ELDT implementation and the TPR.

The Administrator also shared that CVTA’s previous recommendations had led to the creation of an internal FMCSA working group that plans to enhance communication with states about ELDT, create a robust auditing program, and consider additional clarifications that would lead to improved ELDT compliance.

Prior to meeting with the Administrator, CVTA’s Task Force met with leadership at the American Trucking Associations (ATA), including President and CEO Chris Spear and Executive Vice President for Advocacy, Bill Sullivan. ATA was keenly interested in TPR registration issues and Spear shared that CVTA has the full support of ATA in pursing improved ELDT compliance with FMCSA.

These meetings energized the strong partnerships between CVTA and FMCSA as well as CVTA and ATA.

CVTA will continue to pursue improved ELDT compliance in several ways. These include:

• Regular meetings with FMCSA staff to report implementation failures and provide actionable state and federal solutions
• Continued engagement with state agencies to exchange compliance information between FMCSA and state agencies, beginning with a March webinar to the National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools (NASASPS)
• Advocacy partnerships with ATA and state trucking associations to raise awareness of ELDT non-compliance problems and pursue solutions in states in addition to federal solutions

CVTA is fully committed to improving implementation of ELDT to serve to deliver the promised safety benefits that protect our nation’s highways. We sincerely thank CVTA members for the information they’ve submitted on ELDT noncompliance and welcome ongoing feedback.

 

From left to right: Kyle Hayes (CVTA), Andrew Poliakoff (CVTA), Martin Garsee (NAPFTDS), John Diab (Smith and Solomon), Bruce Busada (Diesel Driving Academy), Jeff Burkhardt (Ancora Education), Tim McLain (Swift Transportation), Danny Bradford (United Truck Driving School, TN, CVTA Vice Chairman) and Jerome Redmond (American Truck Training, Inc.– OK, CVTA Chairman)
From left to right: Kyle Hayes (CVTA), Andrew Poliakoff (CVTA), Martin Garsee (NAPFTDS), John Diab (Smith and Solomon), Bruce Busada (Diesel Driving Academy), Jeff Burkhardt (Ancora Education), Tim McLain (Swift Transportation), Danny Bradford (United Truck Driving School, Tn., CVTA Vice Chairman) and Jerome Redmond (American Truck Training, Inc. Ok., CVTA Chairman)

Kyle Hayes

Kyle Hayes is the Director of Government Relations at CVTA. In this role, he leads the implementation of the Association’s legislative and regulatory strategy. He is also the primary point of contact between CVTA Members and federal agencies, Congress, and state governments.

Hayes most recently led research projects that supported federal and state advocacy on healthcare and economic issues at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nationally recognized research and policy institute based in Washington D.C. He received a master’s degree in public policy from American University in 2015 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012.

Andrew Poliakoff

Andy Poliakoff is the Executive Director for CVTA. In this role, he promotes the mission of the membership organization and implements goals set by the Board of Directors. This includes forming partnerships with external stakeholders, providing guidance and direction to the CVTA staff team, and engaging with state and federal government agencies to advance CVTA’s mission of safety and career opportunities in the truck driver training industry.

In 2021 and 2022, Andy acted as federal affairs lead for Electrify America, interacting at high levels within Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, and the White House. In that capacity, he played a pivotal role in the optimization of large-scale infrastructure funding at the Federal Highway Administration as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

From 2019 to 2021 Andy served as Director of Gov't Affairs for CVTA and formed a strong bond with members, engaging on advocacy related to Entry-Level Driver Training, Skills Testing Delays, and Workforce funding. During the pandemic, Andy fought at the state and federal level to treat CDL training and testing as the essential services they are. He is personally invested in the important mission of CVTA's members to deliver safe training and to transform people's lives through truck driving careers.

Andy holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University.

Cindy Atwood

Cindy Atwood is the Vice President at CVTA. An experienced association professional, Cindy handles all activities related to membership retention, financial accounting and committee engagement. Cindy artfully produces CVTA’s off-site biannual conferences, Hill Day operations and Board meetings, ensuring that the general membership and leadership’s necessities and wishes are met with the highest response.

An essential fixture in the truck driver training association space, Cindy manages CVTA’s Instructor Certification Program and provides critical counsel to new entrants into the truck driver training industry.

Kyle Hayes

Kyle Hayes is the Director of Government Relations at CVTA. In this role, he leads the implementation of the Association’s legislative and regulatory strategy. He is also the primary point of contact between CVTA Members and federal agencies, Congress, and state governments.

Hayes most recently led research projects that supported federal and state advocacy on healthcare and economic issues at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nationally recognized research and policy institute based in Washington D.C. He received a master’s degree in public policy from American University in 2015 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012.