Driver Training & CDL Testing Update - ELDT Regulations Overview

Entry Level Driver Training & CDL Testing Update Bus Industry Safety Council and Bus Maintenance & Repair Council General Session January 10, 2022 Kevin Lewis Director, Driver Programs, AAMVA

Agenda ELDT Status and Issues Testing Delays Newly Issued School Bus Testing Waiver 2

Entry Level Driver Training Rule FMCSA s Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations set the baseline for training requirements for entry-level drivers. This includes those applying to: Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time; Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time. Established need for the Training Provider Registry (TPR) As of 1/3/22, 6,985 training locations listed on the Training Provider Registry 3

Entry Level Driver Training Rule The ELDT regulations are not retroactive; individuals who were issued a CDL or an S, P, or H endorsement prior to February 7, 2022 are not required to complete training for the respective CDL or endorsement. If an applicant who obtains a CLP prior to February 7, 2022, obtains a CDL before the CLP or renewed CLP expires, the applicant is not subject to the ELDT requirements. The SDLA must verify that the applicant has completed the required entry-level driver training before administering the relevant skills or knowledge test. 4

Training Provider Registry How will the Training Provider Registry work? Register Training providers must register and self-certify that they meet all FMCSA requirements that apply to: Curricula Facilities Vehicles and equipment Training instructors State-based requirements (as applicable) 5

Training Provider Registry How will the Training Provider Registry work? Search CDL applicants will access the Training Provider Registry to begin their search for a training provider. Only training providers listed on the Training Provider Registry can certify that a driver has successfully completed the required entry-level driver training. Drivers will contact training providers to learn more about the trainings they offer and to engage their services. This is done outside the Training Provider Registry. 6

Training Provider Registry How will the Training Provider Registry work? Certify After a driver successfully passes the required assessments, the training provider will electronically submit the driver-trainee's certification information to the TPR. Certification information must be submitted by midnight of the second business day after the driver-trainee completes the training. Driver certification information will include: Driver-trainee name and CDL/CLP number and State of issuance CDL class or endorsement and type of training completed (behind-the-wheel or theory) Total number of clock hours spent behind the wheel (if applicable) Training provider name and TPR ID number (assigned during registration) Date of successful completion of training 7

Training Provider Registry How will the Training Provider Registry work? Verify The State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) will use data made available from the Training Provider Registry to verify that the applicant has certified completion of the required entry-level driver training before administering one of the tests below: Skills test for obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time. Skills test for obtaining a passenger (P) or school bus (S) endorsement for the first time. Knowledge test for obtaining a hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time. 8

Training Provider Registry What training will CDL applicants receive? Theory Training)TRAINING Lectures, demonstrations, computer-based, online learning, etc. May use a simulator No minimum number of hours; must score at least 80% on assessment Training topics include: Basic Operation Safe Operating Procedures Advanced Operation Procedures Vehicle Systems and Reporting Malfunctions Non-Driving Activities(e.g., Hours of Service) 9

Training Provider Registry What training will CDL applicants receive? Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Training Actual operation of a CMV Takes place on a range or public road May not use a simulator to meet requirements No minimum number of hours, training provider will determine driver s proficiency Basic vehicle control skills and mastery of basic maneuvers 10

Entry Level Driver Training - Issues Who will access information from the Training Provider Registry? Are applicants able to afford the required training? Right now there is not a training requirement in place. A CLP holder can have an employer, relative, friend etc. provide enough training to permit the CLP holder to take the CDL skills test. On 2/7/22, anyone who desires to obtain a CDL will be required to participate in a formal training program. Are schools ready for an increase of students? Every applicant for a CDL who obtains a CLP on or after 2/7/22 will be required to complete ELDT before being issued a CDL. The only exceptions are those CLP holders who obtained their CLP on or before 2/6/22. Are training schools prepared to increase the number of classrooms and instructors to meet the additional demand? 11

Entry Level Driver Training - Issues Who will access information from the Training Provider Registry? Are jurisdictions prepared for the ebb and flow of skills tests requests? On 2/7/22 and afterwards, every person who obtains a CLP could be in a CDL school for several weeks/months. Once those individuals who obtained a CLP before 2/7/22 process through the testing system, CDL skills testing can only be done once the CLP holder graduates from a class. This could create an unequal demand for testing slots. Some weeks there may be less demand for testing slots while other weeks, due to class completion, could result in requests for testing slots that far exceed availability. 12

Entry Level Driver Training Who will access information from the Training Provider Registry? To learn more about ELDT and the Training Provider Registry, visit: https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov You may also contact FMCSA s Office of Safety Programs: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Office of Safety Programs 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Email: https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/#contact 13

Testing Delays CDL Testing There was a 30% decline in CDL tests and new licenses issued between 2019 and 2020. The downward trend changed between 2020 and 2021 when the year- over-year difference in state skills testing and new licenses issued increased 150% Virtually every state is testing more CDL applicants now than they were pre-pandemic, despite reductions in staff due to constraints introduced by the pandemic (COVID mask, distance and cleaning protocols), job changes and retirements. 14

What is Being Done to Address Testing Delays 1. Test scheduling: a. Scheduling adding controls and edits that prohibits applicants from double and triple booking tests b. Charging fees for second and subsequent tests to disincentivize using test as training-preparation 2. Adding test access and test capacity in high-demand areas a. Saturday CDL skills tests b. New test locations c. Adding CDL Examiners through additional funding and cross-training d. Providing Third-party knowledge and skills testing where not already available e. Online knowledge tests 15

What is Being Done to Address Testing Delays 3. Test Success a. Allow banking of skills test segments an applicant passes b. Encourage pre-test preparation/training. Current average failure rate across the country is under 65% 4. Outreach a. Communication to CDL holders to encourage return to CMV or school bus operation employment b. Directly working with state school bus and trucking association and FMCSA division office to promptly address issues that arise. Year-over-year, states tested significantly more drivers, in net gain, 80% more, in the first 11 months in 2021 than a comparable period in 2019. 16

School Bus Waiver FMCSA permits, but does not require, States to waive the engine compartment component of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills testing requirement for commercial driver s license (CDL) applicants seeking the School bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements and the Intrastate only (K) restriction This waiver is effective January 3, 2022 and expires on March 31, 2022 Drivers issued a CDL pursuant to this waiver are restricted to the intrastate operation of school buses only 17

School Bus Waiver When issuing a K-restricted CDL with the S and P endorsements pursuant to this waiver, States must place a school bus only restriction on the CDL This waiver applies only to the intrastate operation of school buses used to transport students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events Upon request from FMCSA, the State must provide the names and CDL numbers of drivers who have been issued a CDL pursuant to the terms of this waiver 18

THANK YOU Questions? klewis@aamva.org 19