Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - Truck Driver Qualification Expert Witness
The committee, (aka ELDTAC), has been tasked with developing a rule for entry-level driver training. The FMCSA announced its desire to develop this rule in 2014. The Entry-level rule is being developed to set the minimum training requirements for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) applicants. The formation of the ELDTAC was announced by the FMCSA in the Federal Register in early December of 2014. The notice included a request for nominations for membership, subject to the conditions stated in the notice.
The catalyst for developing this rule is based upon the requirements of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The ELDTAC will establish minimum training requirements for truck operators including: a) the number of hours of required classroom instruction; b) the number of hours of behind-the-wheel experience; c) accreditation versus certification of CDL training programs and schools. In addition it was tasked with developing distinctions in curricula between: property, hazmat and/or passenger carriers and other areas.
The FMCSA hopes to publish the rule in the fall of 2015 and hopes to finalize it in 2016.
“Finalizing new training requirements for truck and bus operators is one of my top priorities,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling, “and we have tapped a group of uniquely qualified stakeholders to help us work through the details and meet this goal.”
The initial meeting of the ELDTAC is scheduled to be held from 9am to 4:30 pm on February 26 & 27, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, in Arlington, Va. The public is invited to participate.
The following are the 26 members of the committee as of February 11, 2015:
- LaMont Byrd, Director,Health and Safety, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, (Washington, DC)
- Jim Edwards, Washington Representative, National Association of Small Trucking Companies, (Gallatin,TN)
- Martin Garsee, Immediate Past President, National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (Sand Springs, OK)
- Scott Grenerth, Director,Regulatory Affairs, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, (Grain Valley, MO)
- Clyde Hart, Vice President, Government Affairs, American Bus Association, (Washington, DC)
- David Heller, Director,Safety and Policy, Truckload Carriers Association (Alexandria, VA)
- Charlie Hood, President,National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (Tallahassee,FL).
- Peter Kurdock, Director,Regulatory Affairs, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Washington, DC)
- John Lannen, Executive Director, Truck Safety Coalition (Arlington, VA)
- Kevin Lewis, Director,Driver Programs, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (Arlington,VA)
- Larry W. Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy, FMCSA (Washington, DC)
- David Money, Chairman,Board of Directors, Professional Truck Drivers Institute (Alexandria, VA)
- David R. Parker, Senior Legal Counsel, Great West Casualty Company (South Sioux City, NE)
- Ken Presley, Vice President, Industry Operations, and Chief Operating Officer, United Motorcoach Association (Alexandria, VA)
- Bob Ramsdell, Chief Operating Officer, West, Durham School Services, National School Transportation Association (Alexandria, VA)
- Margaret Rohanna, School Bus Program Manager, Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle Division,Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Boston, MA)
- Lauren Samet, Assistant Director, Paraprofessional and School-Related Personnel, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO (Washington, DC)
- Al Smith, Director, Safety and Security, Greyhound Lines, Inc. (Dallas, TX)
- Carl Spatocco, Regional Vice President, Educational Affiliates, Commercial Vehicle Training Association (Springfield, VA)
- Bryan Spoon,Owner-Operator, Spoon Trucking (Grandy, NC)
- Louis Spoonhour, Senior Advisor for CDL Programs, Stevens Transport (Dallas, TX)
- Boyd Stephenson, Director,Hazardous Materials and Commercial Licensing Policy, American Trucking Associations(Arlington, VA)
- Bob Tershak, Master Trooper, Virginia State Police, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (Greenbelt,MD & North Chesterfield, VA)
- Ellen Voie, President and CEO, Women in Trucking (Plover, WI)
- Ed Watt, Director, Special Projects, Amalgamated Transit Union, AFL-CIO (Washington, DC)
- Ron Wood, Washington, DC,Volunteer Coordinator, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (Arlington,VA)
Evidence Solutions' Truck Driver Qualifications Experts look forward to reviewing the new rule.