FMCSA Announces New Proposal To "Streamline" CDL Testing Process

FMCSA Announces New Proposal To “Streamline” CDL Testing Process

Washington D.C. – On Thursday the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it is moving forward on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to “streamline the process for men and women interested in entering the trucking workforce.”

Federal rules currently do not permit a CDL skills instructor who is also authorized by the state to administer the CDL skills test to perform both the instruction and the qualifying testing for the same CDL applicant.

FMCSA’s proposal announced today would eliminate that restriction and permit states the discretion to allow qualified third-party skills trainers to also conduct the skills testing for the same individual.

“The Department is committed to reducing unnecessary barriers to employment for men and women interested in obtaining jobs in the trucking industry,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.

FMCSA Administrator Raymond P. Martinez echoed those comments.

“We continue to examine opportunities to provide common-sense regulatory relief to states and to individuals seeking to obtain a CDL. This proposal will provide states more flexibility, while maintaining safety on our roadways,” Martinez said. “I encourage all interested parties to review the proposal and to offer their comments to the docket.”

Upon publication in the Federal Register, a 60-day public comment period will commence.

A copy of the proposal, which includes information on submitting comments to the Federal Register Docket, is available HERE.