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The transportation industry moves nearly 10.5 billion tons of freight a year, and truck drivers are hauling more freight and driving more miles than ever, but the industry is plagued with a driver shortage. This is due in part to the aging workforce, the average age of truck drivers is 49, and a lot of truck drivers are retiring. On June 9th the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposed two new rules to streamline CDL licensing and cut its costs.

“Taken together, these two proposals will help ease the entry for thousands of qualified individuals into career opportunities as professional truck and bus drivers – a critical occupation facing an acute labor shortage in our country,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Daphne Jefferson. “We could eliminate unnecessary burdens to both the applicants and to the states, save time, reduce costs and, most importantly, ensure that states only issue commercial driver’s licenses to well-trained, highly qualified individuals,”

The proposals set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are:

Military Licensing and State CDL Reciprocity. This proposed rule would waive the CDL knowledge test for qualified veterans and active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserves, who are applying for a civilian CDL.

Commercial Learner’s Permit Validity. This proposed rule would allow states to issue a CDL learner’s permit with an expiration date of up to one year instead of six months. This would eliminate unnecessary re-tasting and fees for people seeking to renew their 180-day CDL learner’s permit.

“At the core of both proposals is safety of the motoring public,” said Jefferson.  “We will continue to demand that commercial truck and bus drivers, and their employers, adhere to the safety standards that exist to protect all drivers.”

If you are an experienced truck driver looking for a change, we are always hiring. Apply now or give us a call to speak with a recruiter!