By Chad Engle, Loss Prevention and Safety Specialist
There has been a lot of discussion about how this new Department of Transportation (DOT) regulation will make it more difficult and costly for employers to fill vacant driver positions and some were holding out hope that perhaps the DOT would push the compliance date back. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case. The DOT recently sent an email reminder that there is one week until the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) compliance date.
What does that mean to NIRMA members? Beginning Monday, February 7th, 2022, the ELDT regulations establish minimum training requirements for entry-level commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators in interstate or intrastate commerce who are applying for:
- A Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time;
- An upgrade of their CDL (e.g., a Class B CDL holder seeking a Class A CDL); or
- A hazardous materials (H), passenger (P), or school bus (S) endorsement for the first time.
The requirements do not apply to individuals holding a valid CDL or an H, P, or S endorsement issued prior to February 7, 2022. Individuals who obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before the compliance date of February 7, 2022, are not subject to the ELDT requirements if they obtain a CDL before the expiration date of the CLP or renewed CLP.
If you have new drivers that will require ELDT I would recommend calling one of Nebraska’s community colleges. I believe that most, if not all of them, provide ELDT. Please feel free to contact me at chad@nirma.info or 1.800.642.6671 with questions.
