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ELDT Should Be Applied Without Sweeping Exemptions

Oct 24, 2022

The Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules create nationwide minimum standards for the training of entry-level truck drivers. These standards enhance highway safety by ensuring that all entry-level drivers have demonstrated proficiency in a comprehensive training curriculum before starting their career on our nation’s roads.  

Confusion about these minimum safety standards, newly enacted in February 2022, has resulted in a misconception that these rules are overly burdensome for small businesses and will require existing trainers of entry-level drivers to significantly change their current practices. ELDT allows many existing training providers to continue current practices and includes reasonable exemptions where appropriate while setting a vital nationwide standard for highway safety. 

Many training providers, including rural and small businesses, can still train students in-house as they have done in the past. These businesses are not required to send their drivers to third-party training providers and take on expensive training costs. Instead, they can follow these step-by-step instructions to register with ELDT’s Training Provider Registry (TPR) and self-certify that their training meets ELDT’s requirements. All training providers, even those at rural and small businesses, should meet ELDT’s trainer experience requirements to ensure students are taught safe driving practices by qualified trainers. 

ELDT does not require that training take longer to complete than training provided before ELDT. Driver trainees are required to demonstrate proficiency in each element of the ELDT curriculum. This includes classroom lessons where drivers learn basic vehicle operation, safe operating practices, and how to maintain and identify malfunctions with their vehicles as well as behind-the-wheel training where drivers practice safe driving techniques. There are no required minimum instructional hours for this training. 

ELDT includes reasonable exemptions for farmers, and other agricultural businesses with drivers on our roads should meet ELDT’s safety requirements. States are allowed to exempt operators of farm vehicles, including a farmer’s family members and employees, for operation to transport agricultural products to or from a farm within 150 miles of that farm. Wider exemptions would allow for more drivers to fall through the cracks on safety training while operating alongside passenger vehicles. 

ELDT is a vital tool for enhancing highway safety as accident fatalities are increasing. Fatal crashes involving large trucks increased by 33 percent between 2011 and 2020. And research demonstrates that the top predictors for large truck crashes are nearly all grounded in driver behaviors, including failures to obey warning lights or use proper signaling and reckless driving. ELDT training is designed to address driver behaviors specifically to support safer driving practices. Sweeping exemptions from these requirements, including statewide exemptions based on old state standards, would result in more entry-level drivers beginning their careers on our roads with inadequate safety training. The consequences of inadequate training can be deadly. 

These standards were developed based on the recommendations of 26 stakeholder organizations, including CVTA as well as truck driver organizations, motor carriers, and law enforcement. The standards reflect the expertise of these stakeholders, many of which are small businesses that operate in rural communities. FMCSA should continue uniform application of ELDT to protect safety on our roads.  

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.