The American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently sent a letter to congressional leaders, urging them to enhance training, testing, and licensing standards for CDL-holders. The letter is in response to several high-profile crashes involving unqualified drivers on U.S. highways.
The organization also expressed concerns about cabotage, the illegal practice of foreign carriers conducting domestic freight movements.
“As the largest national association representing the trucking industry, ATA and its members recognize the critical importance of a trained, qualified driver workforce and have identified several specific steps towards strengthening the processes and checks that ensure a commercial driver is fit to operate on our nation’s roadways,” Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO, said. “ATA respectfully urges [Congress’] consideration of these actions to further close critical gaps in our driver qualification system, strengthen enforcement of existing standards, and prevent unsafe operators from entering or remaining in the trucking industry.”
ATA recommended six actions Congress should take including strengthen enforcement and penalties against illegal cabotage; require individuals to hold a standard driver’s license for at least one year before becoming eligible for a CDL with limited exceptions; expedite the removal of noncompliant training providers from the FMCSA Training Provider Registry; and codifying
English language proficiency requirements for truck drivers.