Last week, the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) spoke with senior leadership at FMCSA on the status of the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule and state-level issues that could delay students receiving their CDL and share the following update:
 
FMCSA has stated they will not be wavering from the February 7th deadline for implementation for new ELDT requirements.
 
Agency staff indicated that any lagging states are getting direct federal support. CVTA reiterated its support for timely implementation of this important safety rule. 
 
The conversation then turned to advance scheduling of skills tests. Currently, training providers schedule CDL skills tests for students towards the beginning of training so, with already present delays, the skills tests can take place soon after graduation.  However, several states have indicated that they will no longer schedule tests in advance after February 7th, rather they will not allow a CDL skills test to be scheduled until the Training Provider Registry (TPR) shows that the student has received ELDT training. The ELDT rule requires that states verify training results from the TPR to confirm a CDL applicant has been certified as having received ELDT-level training prior to administration of the CDL skills test.  
 
FMCSA, at CVTA Board Member John Diab’s request, said they will encourage states to use the rule’s flexibility to continue advanced skills test scheduling instead of waiting until course completion and verification in the TPR.
 
Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
 
• FMCSA stated ELDT is on track for implementation on February 7, 2022.
• FMCSA in the next few days will publish clear guidance to the States strongly urging them not to change any processes that alter the skills or knowledge testing that results in further delays in a student’s progress to become a truck driver. 
• FMCSA is in close contact with the White House on fixing the CDL testing backlog in states that have long wait times.
• FMCSA and CVTA through our ELDT Response Team will remain in close contact with one another to troubleshoot issues and to build upon our support of the ELDT rule.