WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering loosening restrictions on its apprenticeship pilot program for 18-20-year-old drivers to allow them in the program without holding a CDL.
A CDL is currently one of the prerequisites for younger drivers looking to be trained by a carrier under the FMCSA’s Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP), a program created as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law in 2021.
However, a recent request from less-than-truckload specialist Pitt Ohio asking that the CDL restriction be lifted for its trainee drivers has prompted FMCSA to consider lifting the restriction for all carriers that are in or want to register for the program.
“If granted, Pitt Ohio believes it would have less difficulty recruiting drivers to participate in the program,” according to a notice the agency plans to publish on Thursday.
“FMCSA also seeks comment on whether this exemption should be limited to Pitt Ohio, or whether it should be drafted to apply to any SDAP program participating motor carrier that is currently listed as a certified training provider for purposes of the [regulations], or that enters into a partnership with a certified training provider.”
FMCSA states in the notice that granting the Pittsburgh, Ohio-based company an exemption of the CDL requirement would allow the company to use commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders in the SDAP program.
However, those CLP holders “would still need to meet all the remaining apprentice requirements, as well as the existing regulatory requirements for CLP holders,” FMCSA noted. Among those are having a valid CDL holder in the passenger seat during training. Pitt Ohio estimates 25 CLP holders would operate under the exemption per year.
FMCSA’s proposal to ease the SDAP requirements is not a surprise given that the number of participants in the program is “far short” of the up to 3,000 apprentices that the federal government was initially seeking, according to Tim Kordula, who runs Karl’s Transport Commercial Driver CDL Training School, an affiliate of Antigo, Wisconsin-based Karl’s Transport.
Kordula, an early participant in the program and a big supporter, “completely agrees” with the exemption Pitt Ohio is seeking.
“I know they have a training facility so they already have the students in class as we do, so this would be a huge plus to enroll them while still holding the CLP to get the jump-start on the SDAP,” Kordula told FreightWaves. “I think it would be a huge benefit for the program if FMCSA broadened the exemption for everybody.”
John m Clarke
Mentally not ready for 80,000 Lb killer. I love my family. Emotions of a teenage person. . Learn to Drive U Tooooob … ? Really
Burton Keeler
That’s the problem easing restrictions on trainees… yet restricting experienced drivers .. should be the opposite… experienced drivers with no infractions should be exempt… inexperienced drivers should be scrutinized until proven safe.. duhhh non driving law enforcement… enforce the laws on the book . Instead of creating new laws . Your ignorance is the problem…
Mike Salisbury
The training programs out here now. The super carriers are using are a joke. They don’t care about safety truly, they only care about meat in the seat I trained for Werner for almost a year I’ve been behind the wheel for over 18 years and have trained many drivers over the years. The truck driving schools are a joke they only teach the students what they need to pass the test. You can not learn to safely drive a loaded truck in 3 to 5 weeks, the other 8 weeks you are in driving schools you have to pull an empty trailer in driving schools which is ridiculous. The current programs are ridiculously unsafe. Until you guys figure out that you have something wrong with your regulations on this subject the crazy wrecks will get worse. And you need to figure out YOU can’t reregulate your way out. You guys are the ones killing people on the roads everyday.you allowed the mega carriers to buy you off. So if you actually want safety on the roads then get someone with real answers to fix the ridiculous training programs and start actually teaching people to drive again.
Thank you for your time
Tim Kordula
To those commenting., Please understand what Pitt-Ohio is asking for. Currently a full CDL is required to enroll in the Safe Driver Apprentice program. Some States have major testing delays. This means that a driver graduates the CDL class, then needs to wait 3 to as many as 6 weeks for a CDL test and then another 3 weeks for SDAP approval. What Pitt-Ohio seeks is to be able to apply while still holding the CLP and once the CDL skills test is completed and successful, they would be able to continue as an Apprentice. Also keep in mind that ALL SDAP candidates have two probationary periods to complete prior to going on the road by themselves. these can take up to seven weeks to complete. Nowhere does it say or is anyone asking for a CLP holder to hit the road by themselves.
T. L. Smith
Given the caliber of drivers that have “slipped ” out here within the last 5-7 years; even the ones who are OVER 21 have a less than adequate attention span driving out here now. The FMCSA pretend to mandate restrictions such as the “no holding cellphones ” but no enforcement. They give the campfire “boogeyman ” we’re gonna fine you, but then you wake up to nothing happen. Now you want to put people out here that would get bored if it isn’t a joystick in front of them or that electric vibrator. Extremely bad idea.
Manny B
Oh yeah there is a trucking shortage to put a driver in each of the 300 millions trucks mega carriers own BUT not a shortage based on the load markets to truckers. These is just an excuse to keep their load pricing monopoly. Seems close to corruption when overwriting most important factor: safety.
Mike
I have been driving a commercial motor vehicle for over 38 years now. I have trained over 100 students fresh out of truck driving school over the years. I’m sorry to say but these folks are as inexperienced as inexperienced can get. I wish I could have video taped some of this training onto a reality TV program. I’m sorry but allowing this exemption is a very very bad idea. The folks coming out of truck driving school are scary enough now. I recommend the FMCSA folks get in a truck for a day and ride with a fresh out of school driver and see if you don’t agree.
Carl R Singer
No way you would consider this proposal there are enough people with cdls driving trucks and busses going up and down the roads now that shouldn’t have a cdl and now you want to let kids do it you all are crazy what next signed by a driver of more than 50 yrs experience