Trucking Firm Seeks Looser Rules for Drivers Awaiting CDL Cards
Regulation · Oct 26 · By Truker
PAM Transport has asked federal regulators to relax a rule covering new drivers who hold a learner's permit and have already passed their road skills exam but are still waiting on their full license. Under the proposal, a licensed driver would have to stay aboard the truck but would not need to sit up front beside the permit holder. The agency is gathering public input and has not signaled how it will rule.
The points
- 1The carrier wants an exception to the mandate that a permit holder be seated beside a licensed driver in the cab.
- 2The exception would cover only those permit holders who have cleared the CDL skills test but have not yet received their official license.
- 3PAM says the licensed driver would ride in the truck while the permit holder drives, though not necessarily in the passenger seat.
- 4Federal law requires the agency to publish a notice describing every exemption request, and this notice does not reveal a decision.
- 5After weighing the application, safety reviews and public comments, the agency will either approve or reject the request.
Why it matters
The outcome of this request will determine whether a carrier may let newly tested drivers operate commercial trucks with a licensed driver somewhere in the vehicle instead of in the front passenger seat.
What we read
Federal Register FMCSA