CDL Requirements In 2021

This write-up discusses CDL Requirements In 2021. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration develops and implements rules and standards for testing and licensing of Commercial Motor Vehicle, CMV drivers according to their states. The states can only issue a Commercial Driver’s License to drivers after they have passed the compulsory general knowledge and skills test which is in line with the type of commercial vehicle the driver will operate.

Why New CDL Requirements In 2021?

In 2019, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA made a new law to effect change in the CDL requirements for Entry Level Drivers Training, that is for entry-level drivers, those who are just getting started or switching careers to the truck driving the industry. These people are required to have a valid Commercial Driver’s License, CDL, so the new regulations are to be implemented to guide the requirements of obtaining a CDL.

The new requirements were originally supposed to be implemented starting from February 7, 2020, but were later rescheduled for 2022. This proposed compliance date has been changed and the existing rules will continue to be in effect until February 7, 2022, which is the new compliance date. FMCSA is yet to announce the intention to change the existing CDL requirements for 2021.

The updated CDL requirements significantly affect the Entry-level Driver Training Rule, (EDLT) for drivers who are just starting in the trucking industry, the requirements for obtaining a CDL, the category of entry-level drivers that would benefit.

What are the CDL Requirements In 2021 for the Entry-Level Driver Training Rule?

The new CDL requirements for the EDLT apply to individuals who are looking to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL. They must enroll and complete the general knowledge classroom training and also the driving skills training in a licensed CDL training school that is approved by the FMCSA and listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry. The general knowledge training must include;

• Driver qualifications requirements; Drivers would receive training on Federal rules on medical tests, the basic qualifications required, driver’s responsibilities and ethics, appropriate information on what could lead to disqualification, cancellation of the permit, and other offenses.
• Driver’s hour of service; Entry-level would know their stipulated work hours, their periodical off duty requirements, reducing fatigue, and how to avoid accidents due to stress.
• Driver’s health and wellness; Drivers would learn how to stay healthy, know the proper diet to maintain all-around wellness, and the importance of staying healthy as a driver.
• Whistleblower protection; There’s the need to know that as an employee of a trucking company, it is within your right to report to appropriate authorities when your employer or colleague is doing anything that might jeopardize the general safety of the public, and other staff of the company while in operation.

The skills tests require practical driving training, drivers are to be trained with the appropriate equipment, a vehicle under a licensed commercial motor vehicle driving instructor. On the road control, proficiency in handling the vehicle during operation, use of the road, all these and others would be taught first hand to drivers in truck driving schools.

After the CDL applicant has gone through these training and practice, there’s no specified duration of the training, after adequate preparation through studying and taking series of practice tests, they can now take a CDL examination if they feel confident enough, which they must pass at least 80% in general knowledge to qualify for a CDL permit, after passing this examination they are qualified to receive a training certificate from the licensed CDL training school.

What impact do FMCSA’s new CDL requirements have on existing state ELDT requirements?

If the new minimum standards set by the FMCSA for Entry level drivers training is exceeded in a state, such state would be allowed to keep their existing state  ELDT, but drivers under training are allowed to obtain training from outside their state of residence. In such cases, the licensing state’s ELDT requirements do not apply to drivers under training if they have obtained their skills test outside of their state, even if they take the skills test in the licensing state.

Whom Do The FMCSA CDL Requirements In 2021 Affect?

The newly developed rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration only applies to first time drivers, who are just entering the trucking industry as recruits and must obtain a CDL, also for existing drivers who would like to upgrade the class of their CDL. Also, drivers who want to get endorsed in driving some vehicles like hazardous materials hauling vehicles, passengers bus, school bus, tank vehicles, and for double or triple trailers.

Drivers who hold a valid CDL of any class or endorsement are not affected by the new requirements, they do not need to upgrade or reapply for another CDL.

Entry-level driver training providers must be certified and registered under the FMCSA training providers registry, before they can be allowed to train drivers, although they may not have to register at the department of transportation, depending on their state.

FMCSA upgraded the curriculum to include more topics in all specified areas. Training providers are expected to comply with these changes in their curriculum as well, the four general knowledge course topics currently in operation will expand into 31 topics, behind the wheel (BTW) driving skills test is now mandated to become 19 topic areas, to be tested together with the vehicle inspection skills at the department of motor vehicles for each state.

Training instructors must have a minimum of two years driving history, be medically certified for classroom training, private range, and behind the wheel instruction, and must show a clean driving record.

Can The Classroom Training And Driving Training Be Provided By Separate Training Providers?

As long as both training providers are listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, drivers can receive classroom training for driving theory separately from on the road driving training with an instructor, from two different licensed training providers. However, each training provider must submit the necessary information on the driver’s training and certification to prove that the driver was trained by them. Range and public road portions under the on the road training must be received from one training provider.