Entry-Level Driver Training

Originally scheduled to go into effect February 7,2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has delayed implementation until February 7, 2022.

As of February 7, 2022, compliance with all aspects of the ELDT rule is required.

The requirements apply to anyone:

• Applying for his or her first commercial driver's license (CDL);
• Upgrading his or her current CDL (from Class B to Class A); or
• Obtaining a new passenger, school bus, or hazmat endorsement.

The rule does not apply to individuals who held a valid and current CDL and the appropriate endorsement(s) before February 7, 2022.

The old and new ELDT rules are two different requirements and should be addressed separately.

First, the current/old ELDT rule applies to drivers with less than one year of experience operating a commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL in interstate commerce. It is the motor carrier’s responsibility to ensure that compliance is happening, and that proper documentation is on file for each driver. As of February 7, 2022, this rule will “sunset.” Carriers will no longer need to comply. Anyone who was subject to this rule prior to February 7, 2022, should have a copy of the training certificate in his or her DQ file.

As for the “new” ELDT rule, the motor carrier has no training or documentation responsibilities. The training (and certification of successful completion of training) must happen prior to an individual taking his or her CDL skills test.

The required training includes both theory and behind-the-wheel instruction.

The instruction must be provided by an entity listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR).

There isn’t a minimum number of hours that driver-trainees must spend on the theory instruction, but the instructor must cover all topics set forth in the program.

The topics in the program cover five areas of instruction:

• Basic operation,
• Safe operating procedures,
• Advanced operating procedures,
• Vehicle systems and reporting malfunctions, and
• Non-driving activities.

Driver-trainees must demonstrate their understanding of the material by achieving an overall minimum score of 80 percent on the theory assessment.

Behind-the-wheel training includes both range and public road instruction. This instruction must be conducted in the class of commercial motor vehicle that the trainee will be taking his or her CDL road test in when the time comes to complete the skills test.

Skills that must be covered during range instruction include vehicle inspection, various backing skills, and coupling and uncoupling.

Skills that must be covered during public road instruction include left and right turns, lane changes, curves at highway speeds, and entry and exit on interstate or controlled access highways.

There isn’t a minimum number of hours that must be spent on behind-the-wheel training, but the instructor must cover all topics included in the courses.

The instructor must determine and document that each driver-trainee has demonstrated proficiency in all elements of the behind-the-wheel courses. The instructor must also document the total number of clock hours each driver-trainee spends to complete the behind-the-wheel courses.

Both the theory and behind-the-wheel training must be provided by an entity listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR). Most entities listed in the TPR will be truck driver training schools and motor carriers that have schools to train their own drivers.

The TPR is available via FMCSA’s website: https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Currently, schools, motor carriers, and other entities that intend to provide entry-level driver training are able to complete an application to be listed on the TPR. All applications must be filed electronically via FMCSA’s website. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Later this year, the TPR will expand to include a database of schools, motor carriers, and training entities that have been approved to provide entry-level driver training.