CVTA’s chief mission is advocating for public policy that advances and supports the commercial driving training industry. It is critically important that CVTA members hear directly from the policymakers who have a direct impact on our businesses.
At CVTA’s Fall Conference last week, we welcomed Larry Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Brent Parton, Senior Advisor for Workforce at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Here are some of the highlights that were shared with CVTA members:
Larry Minor, FMCSA:
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)
- FMCSA said that the ELDT rule will be implemented on time on February 7, 2022.
- State DMVs and SDLAs are on track to implement ELDT on time. FMCSA will not suspend implementation if a state is not ready by February 7, 2022.
- FMCSA has the technology to upload school and student data to the Training Provider Registry (TPR) and the agency has a helpdesk ready to assist CVTA members should they encounter an issue.
To learn more about ELDT and the TRP, visit: https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov
Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH)
- As of September 1, there are over 87,000 drivers in the DACH. 69,000 are in “prohibited status,” 52,000 have not started the return to work process.
- Minor restated FMCSA’s position that CDL students are not “employees” of CDL schools for the purposes of the DACH.
Truck Driver Shortage/Supply Chain Problems
- FMCSA and the U.S.DOT are working to address state CDL testing delays to get more CDL drivers on the road. The Department looks forward to working with CVTA to find workable solutions to strengthening our supply chain and getting more truck drivers on the road.
Brent Parton, U.S. Department of Labor:
- DOL is committed to working with CVTA to fix the truck driver shortage by encouraging, promoting, and investing in registered apprenticeship programs.
- DOL is investing over $300 million to expand registered apprenticeship programs, with a focus on the trucking/transportation industries.
- There are currently over 10,000 active apprentices in trucking/transportation programs throughout the country.
- The rate of growth in registered apprenticeships has grown by 70% since 2011.
CVTA has a registered apprenticeship program and will work with DOL to drive more students, workers and especially young people into the commercial driving and logistics industry.
CVTA will continue to work with these decision makers to develop practical policies that promote highway safety and open opportunities to all Americans to enter the trucking industry.
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