The Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Rule Compliance Date Gets Extension From the FMCSA
February 05, 2020
The FMCSA previously announced an Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule compliance date of February 7, 2020 but has since extended that to February 7, 2022 allowing more time for the development of the Training Provider Registry (TPR).
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced in the Federal Register on December 27, 2019, that the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing will increase from 25% of the average number of driver positions to 50% of the average number of driver positions. This change, which becomes effective January 1, 2020, is pursuant to requirements found in 49 CFR 382.305.
Day with DISA is DISA Global Solutions’ annual drug testing symposium, which welcomes a number of industry experts to present on various trending topics and give advice to attendees for drug testing policies. Employers in the transportation industry were able to get help in understanding the complexities of managing their compliance needs.
Employers in the transportation industry are required to comply with federal regulations set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT). If you have employees who get behind the wheel for work, it’s important to follow the compliance standards and regulations required for the job to maintain safety on the roads. Since employers can be held liable for the actions of their employees who operate vehicles for a living, it’s vital that industry-specific employment screening procedures take place to avoid risk, fees, and fines.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed modifications to the current Hours of Service (HOS) rules that will increase safety standards and allow more flexibility for commercial drivers while they are on duty. The proposal was published on August 15th, with a 45-day comment period following. The changes would not interfere with driving time and continue to prevent Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers from driving more than eight consecutive hours without a 30-minute change in duty status. HOS rules are implemented to make the roads safer by requiring drivers to log their driving hours with accuracy and completion and limits the number of hours a driver can drive each day, which reduces fatigued drivers.
Employers who work in the safety-sensitive industry are required to abide by government guidelines and policies for pre-employment and on-going employment processes. Those who are onboarding a position that requires the employee to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) must pull Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs)as part of the onboarding procedure. To gain access to that information, the American Association of Motor Vehicles (AAMVA) has a Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) which will help employers verify CDL information.
Effective April 1, 2019, the Government of Canada will be enforcing a fuel charge for the provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. This new fuel charge was introduced as part of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (the Act) which will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to put a price on carbon pollution which plays an important role for Canada’s climate action plan. In addition, effective July 1, 2019, the territories of Nunavut and Yukon will enforce the fuel charge as well. These territories are considered “listed provinces” and the fuel charge will not apply on fuel used outside of these jurisdictions.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will begin a hard enforcement of a new permit required for trucks and shippers on May 1, who are located or work in a quarantine zone for Spotted Lanternflies (SLF). The enforcement will include roadside stops by the State Police and Department of Agriculture in Pennsylvania, as well as nearby states who will be checking logs and bills of lading.
