WASHINGTON — Truckload carrier Covenant Logistics is seeking a two-year federal exemption to streamline the process for employing 2,000 new drivers, the company told regulators.
Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Covenant (NASDAQ: CVLG), along with its logistics affiliate Landair Transport Inc., has petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to allow commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders who have passed a CDL skills test to drive a truck without an on-duty CDL holder present in the front passenger seat, as is currently required.
According to an FMCSA notice published Wednesday, Covenant currently cannot employ a new driver until the driver’s home state issues a CDL. The company must therefore either wait for the driver to obtain the physical CDL credential from the state or send the driver home.
“Covenant Logistics states this results in supply chain inefficiency and a lost employment opportunity for the new driver,” according to the notice.
“States may take weeks to properly document and update the status of a new driver’s CDL after they have passed the CDL skills test, and Covenant Logistics is not able to employ the driver during this time without having a second driver in the front seat of the [truck]. This administrative waiting period has caused a significant burden on Covenant Logistics’ operations.”
Covenant explained that prior to the implementation of the front-seat requirement for experienced drivers who oversee new permit holders, states routinely issued temporary CDLs, valid only in drivers’ home states, to drivers who had successfully passed a CDL skills test.
“This process made it possible for the company to immediately designate a new driver as on duty, and direct that driver to their home state without entering a second driver into an on-duty status,” the company states in the notice.
If granted the exemption, Covenant would join several other large trucking companies, including CRST and Wilson Logistics, in securing licensing flexibility from regulators.
CRST, which was originally given an exemption in 2016, has successfully renewed it by showing that safety has not been compromised with the eased restrictions.
Such exemptions may not be necessary in the future if FMCSA moves forward with a pending rulemaking.
The proposed rule, “Increased Flexibility for Testing and for Drivers after Passing the Skills Test,” would loosen current CDL testing regulations by:
- Allowing CLP holders who have passed the CDL skills test to operate a truck without having a CDL holder in the passenger seat.
- Expanding CDL applicants’ ability to take a skills test in a state other than the state in which they live.
- Eliminating the requirement that an applicant wait at least 14 days after being issued a CLP to take the CDL skills test.
The changes are opposed, however, by some owner-operators and by truck safety advocates who warn that rolling back driver testing regulations will lead to more crashes.
Steve Maddox
You might want to tell ole Joe.
He says there ain’t going to be no more truck drivers. Y’all falling behind.
Ranger Clark
I believe the majority of the commenters here are missing the point of the article. Covenant is not attempting to bypass a safety rule/law by having driver trainees in their trucks. This is about the physical copy of the CDL — if a trainee is safe or unsafe, that person is likely still going to work somewhere. In the state in which I resided when I became a CDL holder, I would have lost at least a week, but possibly two, to having to wait on the state to produce the physical copy of my CDL. Ironically, I went to work for Covenant following truck driving school. It worked out fine.
B smith
If they paid a decent wage and provided. Decent working conditions they would not have to hire under paid trainees.
Lio
Yea. Thats all we need. More drivers hitting my truck while parked at truck stop trying to have some rest.
Paul Buehler
I got taught hard Knox, driving 40+ years been to every state and little Canada
I’m firm believer when I train someone I try to go to their own speed and sit i sat in the passenger seat, yes I chew on other trainers for mistakes and I will ask how long you been driving, try 3 months
My advice to new drivers is to be honest and learn how to read a map, yes I have a few more
I am 67 I would probably train again if someone ask
Jack Daniels
When I first started to drive the big rigs back in 1978 I was required to attend a regular two months school on driving. It was then I discovered that knowing how to shift was not driving. Driving a truck is a complicated thing and should not be left to people that can drive an automobile safely or properly. The government of each state and the US should take a comprehensive and complete survey of safety. Remember this would include buses. But then the government is famous for making mistakes.
Wim De Pre
This is a really bad idea and proposition. These companies are only worried about how to make more revenue by cutting safety corners. Having a green horn in command, with no supervision and instruction is insane and a major concern for the safety of the motoring public.
James
Back in 2000 I was a DDC instructor for Covenant. 6 months. Got the students for 4 days after getting off a trainer’s truck. Maybe 1 or 2 were good enough. But we had to pass them anyway.
What gets me is Safety. Everyone talks about it almost like a motto but nothings is done about like enticing good drivers. These exemptions and call it what you want is about money in these mega carrier’s pockets.
Actually everything about the FMCSA and ATA is strictly for the mega carriers.
There are a lot of good younger drivers out there that grew up around trucks and can already drive them. But insted of getting thier CDL on their own and hired by a smaller company with a little traing from another driver they are stuck having to go to a school usually in affiliation with or owned by a megacarrier. Its a vicious cycle of greed and stupidity.