Federal decision on CDL testing in Florida

The Importance of Safety and Flexibility in CDL Skills Testing

Florida’s petition was supported by the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA), an entity representing truck driver training schools. The CVTA argued that additional delays caused by rescheduling and retesting have negatively impacted the industry, particularly in terms of the availability of qualified truck drivers. They noted that these delays have led to job losses and resulted in millions of dollars in lost wages for aspiring drivers, as well as a reduction in state income tax revenues.

The decision of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to deny Florida’s request underscores the priority given to safety in transportation, even in the face of efficiency pressures. Acting Deputy Administrator Sue Lawless stated that adhering to the required order in CDL skills testing is essential for the safety of applicants, examiners, and other drivers on public roads. Lawless also emphasized that existing regulations already provide some flexibility by allowing applicants to skip parts of the test they have previously passed.

Lawless also stated that the implementation of federal entry-level driver training standards should result in a decrease in the number of applicants who fail certain parts of the CDL skills test at state driver’s license agencies.