holders seeking a license upgrade ( for example , a Class-B holder seeking a Class-A license ) or any additional endorsement to transport hazardous materials , operate a motor coach , drive a school bus , etc .
Also welcoming the rule ’ s release and its specifics was the Commercial Vehicle Training Association ( CVTA ), which represents nearly 200 training providers in 41 states , that helped FMCSA formulate the rule ’ s minimum training requirements . “ FMCSA has put forth a common-sense rule , that recognizes the value and importance of effectively training commercial drivers based on their actual performance ,” said Don Lefeve , CVTA president and CEO . “ This rule ensures that students can only sit for their CDL exam after demonstrating driving and knowledge proficiency . This is a major step in advancing highway safety by requiring driver training and ends nearly 25 years of effort to get this rule in place .”
As described by CVTA , here ’ s what the rule requires of the providers of entry level driver training : 1 ) They must register with FMCSA ’ s Training Provider Registry ( TPR ) and certify that their program meets the standards for classroom and behind-the-wheel ( BTW ) training ; 2 ) They must certify that students have completed BTW training to a proficiency standard ; 3 ) They must certify their program teaches the required classroom subjects ( outlined in the final rule ), and that students have completed a written assessment , covering all subjects , with a passing score of 80 % or higher ; and 4 ) They must certify that students have demonstrated proficiency in operating a vehicle before sitting for the CDL exam .
FMCSA RELEASES DRUG AND ALCOHOL CLEARINGHOUSE FINAL RULE
On December 5 , 2016 , the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ( FMCSA ) issued its final rule creating the much-anticipated federal clearinghouse for drug and alcohol test results of truck drivers . It has been four years since Congress called for a national clearinghouse for truck drivers who have drug and alcohol violations . The purpose of the clearinghouse is to prevent CDL holders with positive drug and alcohol test results , refused required drug and alcohol
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tests , or who have undergone the return-to-duty drug and alcohol rehabilitation process , from job-hopping ( moving to different states where the results do not follow them ) – making it harder to hire these drivers and keeping the roads safer .
According to FMCSA , the drug and alcohol clearinghouse final rule annual net benefits are an estimated $ 42 million , with crash reductions resulting from annual and pre-employment queries by FMCSA-regulated motor carriers . This new rule is set to go into effect 30 days after publication , on January 4 , 2017 , before an expected regulatory moratorium by the Trump administration , taking office on January 20 , 2017 . The rule ’ s compliance date is set at January 6 , 2020 .
FMCSA believes that three years is necessary to provide the agency time to design and implement the information technology ( IT ) systems needed to facilitate the reporting of results and violations of the drug and alcohol testing rules and the responses to queries from employers and prospective employers . Also , this extended period of time will ensure that stakeholders have sufficient time to prepare for this new rule . All Mexican and Canadian employees , employers or service agents that are currently required to comply with DOT and FMCSA drug and alcohol testing requirements must also comply with this new rule . Stay tuned !
Article By Wayne Schooling President & CEO North American Transportation Association
Wayne Schooling has been in the transportation business since 1962 . Starting out as a driver , Wayne later made the switch to management . Over the years , he has accumulated 22 various awards and honors , been involved with 6 professional affiliations , has spoken at several lectures , and earned 3 professional diplomas . Wayne is currently President Emeritus of the NorthAmerican Transportation Association ( NTA ).
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