FMCSA Making Nation’s Highways Safer with New Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Rule

Helping drivers stay safe on the road, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is enforcing a new Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule to maintain higher driving safety standards. Establishing more extensive ELDT requirements, this new rule improves the safety of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) driving on the roads around you through the implementation of those mandatory training requirements.

The compliance date is February 7, 2020, giving States a three-year phase-in period to modify their information systems to meet requirements after the rule’s revised effective date of March 21, 2017. The necessary steps involved to become compliant require information systems to begin recording the training provider’s certification information into the Commercial Driver’s Licensing Information System (CDLIS) and onto the driver’s CDL record. While giving companies ample time to adjust to the new rule, the phase-in period also allows the CMV driver training industry an opportunity to develop and offer training programs that will meet the requirements on the Training Provider Registry (TPR).

Who Is Required to Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)?

This rule applies to entry-level operators of CMVs who are required to carry a Class A or Class B CDL or a hazardous material (H), passenger (P), or school bus (S) endorsement for their license for the first time for both interstate and intrastate commerce. Those individuals who already hold a valid CDL or a P, S, or H endorsement prior to the compliance date of the final rule will not need to adhere to the new ELDT requirements. There are no exemptions for the new rule, and those who are already exempted from taking a skills test to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL, a P, or an S endorsement are not subject to ELDT since the requirements align with the current CDL regulations.

How DISA Can Help

DISA Global Solutions offers effective transportation compliance services to help you maintain and update all your driver qualification and training needs. From driver qualification file management to fleet management and reporting, DISA has industry-leading technology delivering a distinct user experience for both DOT and non-DOT regulations and standards. Our professionals can help with any guidance necessary on how to handle Entry-Level Driver Training regulations. DISA also offers the CDLIS product, where new entrant training information will reside.

For more than 30 years, DISA has been a provider of workplace safety and compliance services. DISA helps companies make more informed staffing decisions by offering a broad array of industry-leading methodologies to make employee screening faster and more accurate. For more information about DISA call 1-800-752-6432 or email sales@disa.com.

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