As details emerged on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on entry level driver training (ELDT) for commercial motor vehicle drivers, which includes school bus drivers, the industry called for public comments to be forwarded.
After years of deliberations and attempts to develop an acceptable rule, the FMCSA announced last month that it planned to develop the proposed rule using a negotiated rulemaking process. The NPRM encourages commenters to review the proposed rule and seeks commentaries on the different aspects and potential effects of it. The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) has asked submissions of comments no later than the deadline of this Wednesday.
NASDPTS, along with the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) and 24 other members of the ELDT Advisory Committee, reached consensus on a proposed rule, titling it the “Federal Minimum Standards for CMV Entry-Level Driver Training Written Statement,” which was forwarded to the FMCSA.
Some of the main components of the NPRM include an entry level driver definition, training providers, core training curricula, endorsement training curricula, theory and behind-the-wheel training, school bus endorsement classroom curriculum and school bus endorsement behind-the-wheel curriculum.
The proposed rule would become effective three years after adoption of the upcoming final rule. While the adoption of this rule has not been established, it is expected to be later this year, which would result in full implementation by the end of 2019.
