With trucking companies raising pay to attract more drivers and 18-year-olds set to drive intrastate, the trucking industry and its regulatory bodies are expecting and hoping for an influx of new drivers. Supply chain woes have brought demand for qualified truck drivers to an extreme high.

But what is a qualified driver? Of course, a qualified driver is one who has their Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and the endorsements necessary to haul specific types of freight.

A New CDL Regulation

After February 7^th, a new requirement will be implemented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). New truck drivers will have to complete an Entry-Level Driver Training course in order to get their CDLs.

Truck drivers that already have a CDL and want to upgrade (i.e. to Class A) or add new endorsements (like HAZMAT) will also have to take the Entry-Level Driver Training. Truck drivers that have a Class A CDL with all the endorsements they want, however, do not have to take the training course.

While new, this training requirement has been a long time coming. The Entry-Level Driver Training for CDL is mandated by Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), which was originally passed into law in 2012.

Aspiring truck drivers who want to find a training course can use the official Training Provider Registry.

Other CDL Regulations

Aside from the new Entry-Level Driver Training, the requirements for the CDL remain the same. For those who want to become a truck driver, we recommend you check out the complete Class A Drivers “Become a Truck Driver” Guide.

In that guide, we walk you through the steps you need to become a truck driver and get your CDL.

As a Summary, drivers will need to complete a written knowledge test as well as a skills test to get their CDL. The skills test will include:

• Pre-Trip Inspection
• Road Skills Test
• Basic Controls Skills Test

CDL holders must also receive a Medical Certificate in order to be able to drive. The Department of Transportation requires the drivers to pass tests for the following:

• Vision
• Hearing
• Blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Stress Test (cardiovascular issues)

Drivers must also provide proof of US citizenship/lawful permanent residency/legal presence or proof of residency (domicile). Driving an 80,000 lbs rig is serious business, and the government treats it that way!