Comment period extended on entry-level driver proposal
The Trucker Staff
3/24/2008
In response to a request, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended until May 23 the comment period for its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published Dec. 26, 2007.
On that date, FMCSA published for public comment a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) concerning minimum training requirements for entry-level Commercial Motor Vehicle operators. The original comment period for the NPRM was to expire on March 25. In response to a letter dated February 26 from the American Trucking Associations, FMCSA has extended the comment period, which now expires May 23.
The rule proposes 44-hours of behind-the-wheel training in addition to 76 hours of classroom time before potential truckers can test for and receive their Class A CDL.
The new proposed regulation requires students to actually spend some time behind the wheel, and also requires them to do it at an accredited school with qualified instructors on staff.
The truck driving schools will have to be accredited by an agency recognized by the Department of Education or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This would also apply to schools operated by trucking companies.
The FMCSA also updated the NPRM to read:
“The annual number of drivers providing training certificates under the current rule, which would remain in effect during the three-year implementation period, is 32,426. The number of training institutions (public and private) that would provide training under the terms of this proposed rule is uncertain, but FMCSA estimates it to be between 200 and 500. The number of state licensing agencies is 51. The total of these three groups of potential respondents will range between 32,677 and 32,977 during the initial three-year implementation period.”
According to the NPRM, information would not be collected with any specific frequency during the three-year life of the information collection. The initial burdens on training institutions and SDLAs will be limited to startup activities.
According to FMCSA, it has submitted this NPRM and a supporting statement to OMB, estimating the paperwork burdens of this proposal. The agency is soliciting comments t
• Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility
• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments must include Docket ID Number FMCSA-2007-27748, and may be sent by one of the following methods:
• Electronically: Through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail/Courier: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Management Facility, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, or
• Fax: (202) 493-2251.
For access to the docket to read comments received and background material, go to the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at: http://www.regulations.gov, and search for docket ID Number FMCSA-2007-27748. Comments may also be inspected at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Management Facility, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
