Proposal would ease CDL supervision rules for up to 700 drivers annually
PAM Transport has asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for permission to allow certain newly trained truck drivers to operate commercial vehicles before receiving their commercial driver’s license (CDL) credentials.
The application, published in the Federal Register Oct. 27, requests a five-year exemption from regulations requiring commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders to be accompanied by a qualified CDL holder seated beside them while driving.
Under the proposal, drivers who have successfully passed their CDL skills tests but have not yet received their licenses could operate a truck without a CDL holder in the front passenger seat. A qualified CDL holder would still be required to remain aboard the vehicle, but could sit elsewhere.
PAM estimates that between 500 and 700 new drivers annually could operate under the exemption.
FMCSA is accepting public comments on the request through Nov. 27.
Addressing delays in CDL issuance
PAM recruits entry-level drivers through partnerships with CDL training programs, including programs located outside the drivers’ home states. Once drivers complete training and pass their CDL skills tests, they may still need to return to their home states to obtain their CDL credentials.
Under current regulations, passing the skills test does not eliminate the requirement for a qualified CDL holder to sit beside the CLP holder and provide direct supervision. PAM argues that this requirement creates unnecessary delays for drivers who have already demonstrated their ability to operate a commercial vehicle.
If granted, the exemption would allow qualifying drivers to participate in revenue-generating trips back to their home states to obtain their licenses. According to PAM, the change would help drivers begin earning income sooner while continuing to develop their driving skills.
The company also contends that delays in transitioning newly trained drivers into employment can create financial hardship, diminish recently acquired driving skills and potentially contribute to driver turnover.
Safety requirements would remain
The proposed exemption would not apply to drivers who have not passed their CDL skills tests.
Before allowing drivers to operate under the exemption, PAM says it would verify that they hold valid CLPs and regular driver’s licenses, have passed the required skills examinations, possess the necessary endorsements and meet medical qualification requirements.
Drivers would also have to meet PAM’s qualification standards and could not be subject to an out-of-service order or suspension of driving privileges. In addition, participating drivers would be required to carry documentation verifying their qualifications, including proof of passing the CDL skills test and a copy of the exemption.
PAM says it would monitor participating drivers’ safety performance and immediately remove anyone who no longer meets the exemption requirements.
Before granting the request, FMCSA must determine whether the proposed exemption would provide a level of safety equivalent to or greater than that achieved under existing regulations.
Similar exemptions already in place
PAM isn’t the first carrier to seek relief from the front-seat supervision requirement. FMCSA has previously granted similar exemptions to trucking companies including CRST, Werner Enterprises, Stevens Transport, Wilson Logistics and others.
The agency has also considered changing the regulation itself. In February 2024, FMCSA proposed amendments to CDL regulations that would allow CLP holders who have passed their CDL skills tests to operate commercial vehicles without a qualified CDL holder seated beside them, provided a CDL holder remained aboard. The proposal also included changes intended to provide greater flexibility for out-of-state CDL testing and eliminate the mandatory 14-day waiting period between issuance of a CLP and taking the CDL skills test.
PAM’s application highlights the continuing challenges associated with transitioning newly trained drivers from completing their skills tests to obtaining their CDL credentials.
Public comments invited
FMCSA has not made a decision on PAM’s application. The agency will review the request, the company’s safety analysis and comments received from the public before deciding whether to grant or deny the exemption.
Comments may be submitted through Regulations.gov under docket number FMCSA-2026-3466. The deadline is Nov. 27, 2026.
Linda Garner-Bunch has been with The Trucker since 2020, picking up the reins as managing editor in 2022. Linda has nearly 40 years of experience in the publishing industry, covering topics from the trucking and automotive industry to employment, real estate, home decor, crafts, cooking, weddings, high school sports — you name it, she’s written about it. She is also an experienced photographer, designer and copy editor who has a heartfelt love for the trucking industry, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite.
