(Alexandria, Virginia) – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a full delay of the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulation until February 2022. The regulation was originally to take effect on February 7, 2020. This decision further delays all ELDT requirements almost a full decade after Congress directed the agency to act. It deals a blow to safety advocates and the professional driver training community that has been advocating for a more comprehensive curriculum.
“While news of the full delay is not unexpected, it is very disappointing to the entire commercial vehicle training community as well as safety advocates who have seen this as a critical step towards improving highway safety,” said CVTA President, Don Lefeve. The ELDT rule applies to both interstate and intrastate commercial drivers seeking a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Unlike numerous state laws on commercial driver training that provide exemptions for employers, or have lax training requirements, ELDT requires anyone seeking a CDL to receive formal training, register with the FMCSA, and teach the proper curriculum. “From large organizations to one-man trainers, ELDT will create a training standard that will positively impact every driver responsible for driving an 80,000-pound vehicle on our roadways. Put simply, the ELDT rule is in the interest of everyone’s safety,” added Lefeve.
The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) has been at the forefront of ELDT outreach and has been working with stakeholders across the industry to increase awareness of the new rule and educate state partners on their role in the process. CVTA members have been piloting various training and reporting requirements since September of 2018 in anticipation of the original compliance date to be best prepared to implement when it does come out.
“CVTA will continue to push for ELDT implementation prior to the 2-year delay. We look forward to working with the FMCSA and all interested parties to speed up implementation and lead outreach to states and industry stakeholders,” added Lefeve.
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