The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has denied an exemption application from Agri-Tech Aviation. The company sought to let commercial learner's permit (CLP) holders who have passed the CDL skills test, but have not yet received their CDL, operate its commercial motor vehicles without a CDL holder in the passenger seat. FMCSA concluded that the record did not show the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equal to or greater than that achieved without it.
Key Points
- FMCSA denied Agri-Tech Aviation's application for an exemption from commercial driver's license standards.
- The request covered CLP holders who had passed the CDL skills test but had not yet been issued a CDL.
- Under the exemption, these drivers would have operated company CMVs without a CDL holder accompanying them in the passenger seat.
- FMCSA reviewed the application and public comments before making its decision.
- The agency found insufficient basis to conclude the exemption would likely provide an equivalent or greater level of safety than the existing requirement.
Why It Matters
The denial leaves in place the requirement that CLP holders be accompanied by a CDL holder in the passenger seat when operating a commercial motor vehicle, including those who have already passed the skills test.