Page 21 - mar-apr 2020

FMCSA Announces Two-Year Delay to

Entry-Level Driver Training

n January 29th, the Federal Motor ELDT applies to new Commercial Driver’s License
Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) (CDL) applicants or new Hazardous Materials En-
announced a two-year delay to the dorsement (HME) applicants It does not apply to
Ocompliance deadline for the Entry-Lev- currently licensed drivers or Commercial Learner’s
el Driver Training (ELDT) program The delay chang- Permits obtained before the compliance deadline,
es the compliance deadline for all participants from unless the CDL-holder is seeking an HME It also ap-
February 7, 2020 to February 7, 2022 In July 2019, plies to all other endorsements, such as Passengers
FMCSA proposed a two-year delay to parts of the ELDT includes a two-part curriculum that
ELDT program applicable to state licensing agen- must be completed before the applicant sits for the
cies; however, the agency received significant CDL or HME exam with the state license office: class-
feedback to delay the entire program for all stake- room or ‘theory’ curriculum, and behind the wheel
holders The FMCSA announcement is available training (range and public road) The classroom
on the agency’s homepage and it will be formally education includes a written/electronic exam that
published in the Federal Register shortly the applicant must pass with a score of 80 percent
FMCSA was congressionally mandated to The person providing behind the wheel training
create ELDT through the Moving Ahead for Progress (trainer) must ‘self-certify’ or attest to satisfactory
in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), and the agency performance of vehicle operations by the appli-
concluded the rulemaking process in December cant The trainer must have a CDL at or above the
2016 NPGA advocated against several compo- level sought by the applicant A similar classroom
nents of FMCSA’s initial proposal, like a minimum and exam format apply to CDL-holders seeking an
number of hours behind the wheel, which were HME
ultimately removed from the final rule. After finaliza- The classroom and behind the wheel train-
tion, NPGA partnered with the Propane Education ing must be provided by an entity or person regis-
& Research Council (PERC) to identify how we can tered in FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, which is
develop materials to assist the propane industry in a database subject to recordkeeping requirements
compliance with the ELDT program and audit
NPGA and PERC continue to work
together through the delayed com-
pliance deadline to develop com-
pliance materials for the propane
Bobtails to Bulkplants industry! NPGA is collaborating with
PERC to create the basic classroom
curriculum and behind the wheel train-
ing materials that a propane marketer
needs in order to provide in-house
training In addition, NPGA is work-
New Bobtails Betts Vapor Proof Lights: New Installations
Refurbished Bobtails complete stock of lights, lens Maintenance & Repairs ing on an administrative service that
Hydrostatic Testing & accessories All Work Performed to NFPA 58
Annual VK Inspections Chelsea PTO & Equipment: Code Upgrades
Annual DOT Inspections power take offs, drive shafts Storage Plant Acquisition & Removal would allow NPGA to serve as the offi-
Base Engineering Shutdown & accessories cial training provider subject to FMCSA
FREE ESTIMATES recordkeeping and audit
40 Industry Drive Jason Gamble, Owner (256) 593-2420 Please direct any questions to Sarah
Boaz, AL 35956 (205) 616-9084 (800) 757-6639 Reboli, NPGA Deputy Counsel, Regula-
Email: lptrucks256@aol.com Fax: (256) 593-2460
tory Affairs ■

21 Alabama Propane Gas Association | March / April 2020