Entry-Level Driver Training Final Rule Clears White House
The White House Office of Management and Budget on Nov. 15 completed its review of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s final rule on entry-level driver training, the final stage before being published in the Federal Register.
The proposed rule, issued in March and sent to OMB on Aug. 29, based in large part on the recommendations of a negotiated rulemaking committee of industry stakeholders, including American Trucking Associations, is intended to require all drivers seeking a commercial driver license to first complete thorough training.
The proposal established comprehensive curriculum dictating topics to be covered in the classroom and through hands-on, behind-the-wheel training.
It requires trainees to spend a minimum number of hours training behind the wheel, but not in class.
ATA has supported the proposal, but the federation strongly prefers a performance-based strategy for behind-the-wheel training rather than one that merely requires drivers spend a specified amount of time behind the wheel of a big rig without requiring demonstrated competence.
A date for the final rule has not been set.
OMB reviews all rules before they are published in final form in the Federal Register. OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs does the reviews and sends a final version back to the original regulatory agency, in this case, FMCSA.
