Over the next 10 years, the U.S. is expected to face a driver shortage in excess of 239,000 drivers. Simply put, America needs more commercial drivers. All Commercial Driver’s License applicants must pass a skills test before being issued a CDL. What most people do not know, however, is our nation’s ability to efficiently produce drivers is being hampered by skills testing delays. If a CDL applicant fails their skills test the first time, it may take weeks or even months before he or she can retake the test due to delays in securing another testing slot.
Current Department of Transportation regulations allow States to determine how and where to skills test their CDL applicants. In many States, the State government outsources this testing function to contracted third parties. In other States, the State government does not outsource this testing function. The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) is concerned that testing delays are hurting applicants from efficiently entering the job market. Therefore, CVTA believes that Congress should explore whether these testing delays are impacting our ability to get more Americans into the trucking industry.
CDL skills testing varies from State to State. While all States must meet minimum testing criteria established by the Department of Transportation, the grading of certain procedures or skills varies depending on State law. CVTA is concerned that certain test examiners, who test CDL applicants, are not following proper procedure. By not following proper procedure, these testing examiners are causing CDL applicants to unnecessarily fail skills tests. Given the disparities, CVTA believes Congress should act to ensure greater consistency in our nation’s CDL testing.
In 2015, new Department of Transportation regulations go into effect that attempt to streamline the process for individuals to receive a CDL. While the intent of this regulation is to create reciprocity that allows States to issue CDLs to its citizens who receive training and skills test out of State, CVTA fears that many States will not issue CDLs to its citizens due to the way the current regulation is written. As such, CVTA would like Congress to ask the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to clarify its own regulation.
