Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would create exceptions for Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act created the EDLT in 2012. It went into effect earlier this year.
ELDT applies to individuals seeking to obtain a Class A or B CDL for the first time; a Passenger, HAZMAT, or School Bus endorsement for the first time; or are upgrading from a Class B CDL to a Class A CDL or a Class C CDL to a Class B CDL
Applicants must attend theory and behind-the wheel classes prior to taking the CDL knowledge test, and states’ departments of motor vehicles must verify training has been completed before allowing the driver to obtain a CDL
The Trucking Regulations Unduly Constricting Known Service-providers Act would allow states to issue a new “Small Business Restricted CDL.” This would exempt small businesses with nine CDLs or less from ELDT requirements.
Drivers could not switch to a larger company and bring their “Small Business Restricted CDL” with them.
The act also allows states to exempt the employees of agriculture-related industries, school districts and local governments from ELDT requirements.