Aims to reduce regulatory burdens and mitigate delays in driver licensing that some state agencies experience.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a rule to enhance the efficiency of tests and flexibility for applicants seeking a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Partly based on a petition from the American Trucking Associations, the aim is to reduce regulatory burdens and alleviate delays in obtaining driving permits experienced by some state agencies.
According to the FMCSA, this proposal aims to address driver shortages by improving supply chain stability and providing regulatory relief without compromising safety. It’s worth noting that the proposed rule could impact states, third-party knowledge examiners, CDL applicants, Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers, and carriers. Potential changes include:
- Allowing CDL applicants to take the skills test in a state different from their residence.
- Permitting Commercial Learner’s Permit holders, after passing the skills test, to drive commercial vehicles on public roads without a qualified CDL holder in the passenger seat.
- Removing the requirement for applicants to wait at least 14 days before taking the skills test after the initial issuance of a Commercial Learner’s Permit.
- Mandating that third-party knowledge examiners comply with training, certification, and background check standards.

With the recent entry-level driver training rule, the FMCSA ensures confidence in out-of-state applicants meeting minimum training requirements. The proposal allows for assessing the skills of applicants from other regions, facilitating obtaining a CDL by scheduling tests in states with shorter waiting times.
Despite longstanding concerns about the use of third-party administrators, the FMCSA, in a Federal Register notice dated September 22, 2022, noted that the increased use of these administrators aims to streamline training, testing, and credentialing processes. This seeks to reduce delays, enabling aspiring truck drivers to efficiently obtain their commercial licenses.
The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) strongly supports the proposed amendments by the FMCSA. It contends that these new processes will reduce administrative barriers in skills testing, enabling new drivers to access truck driving jobs efficiently. The FMCSA will accept public comments on the proposal for 60 days from its publication in the Federal Register.

Volvo Pushes Beyond Diesel with New Hydrogen Combustion Truck Trials
Volvo Trucks is once again taking the lead, beginning road tests with heavy trucks equipped with hydrogen combustion engines.

Trucker Fashion: A Revolution Born on the Road That Still Sets the Trend
Trucker fashion remains relevant due to its authenticity, its seamless integration into streetwear, and its reinterpretation by luxury brands, consolidating itself as a revolution born on the road that evolved from a work uniform into a global cultural symbol

North Dakota among states regaining non-domiciled CDL authority
North Dakota will reissue approximately 150 of the 526 CDLs and CLPs for non-resident drivers that were active during the FMCSA audit.

The Growing Threat of Chameleon Fleets
A CBS ‘60 Minutes’ investigation exposes the rise of ‘Chameleon Fleets’ in the U.S. trucking industry.

US transportation begins to show signs of recovery
With tonnage at record levels and rates on the rise, carriers are leading the expansion of the logistics market. If the forecasts hold true, years of uncertainty could be over.

Trump Administration Restarts California Pipeline to Lower Gasoline Prices
Under Trump, the restart of the Santa Ynez Pipeline aims to boost local crude supply and impact gasoline prices amid persistently high energy costs in California.
