Posted January 22, 2020
An official announcement delaying at least some (and potentially all) of the Entry Level Driver Training Rule is expected soon.
On January 21, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) finished its review of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s interim final rule, Extension of Compliance Date for Entry Level Driver Training. It is thought that this rule will delay at least two aspects (or all) of the Entry Level Driver Training rule.
OMB is one of the last steps before a rule is published in the Federal Register. Usually, when OMB returns a rule to an agency, it is published within a couple of weeks. If the entire rule is delayed, the current process to obtain a commercial driver’s license remains. For training providers, this would mean not having to meet the curriculum and trainer requirements of the Entry Level Training Rule at this time.
Even with a full delay, proactive measures are recommended, as the curriculum changes are significant. It will take training providers time to understand and implement the new requirements.
Until an official announcement is published in the Federal Register, the February 7, 2020 compliance deadline is in effect.