Some trucking companies are seeking some exemptions for driver trainers. According to FreightWaves, three truckload companies have put in this request. They want some leeway when it comes to driver trainers. Entry-level driver training is their main concern. They want it to be somehow loosened to ease their operations. They claim it is part of the cause for both driver and instructor shortages. 

What do the Truckload Companies want? 

The three companies (Heartland Express, Contract Freighters Inc., and Millis Transfer) receive their training from Millis Training Institute (MTI). MTI requested FMCSA to provide an exemption from the rules. The rule is that a behind-the-wheel trainer must have at least two years of experience. This experience is either of being a trainer or being behind the wheels of a commercial motor vehicle.  

MTI has been in the CDL training business since 1991. For all that while, they have just needed a one-year over-the-road experience to become a trainer. They have had an intense safety evaluation before admitting anyone as a trainer. Only those who pass the evaluation are considered. They claim to have had lots of success with that policy in place.  

They argue that they have had it hard since February 2022. This is mainly because of the two-year BTW rule. There has been a shortage of trainers to train their students, which is why they are seeking this exemption. The truckload companies are enrolling large numbers of students, and matching that has been a challenge with the rule in place.  

MTI currently has 131 trainers. Each trainer spends up to 90 days with a student before they can drive independently. At this rate, truckers will have to turn away students due to trainer shortages. They are adamant that if denied the exemption, the schools would suffer. It would also affect the trucking companies, which would mean a shortage of safe drivers.  

As much as the exemption would help produce more drivers. The regulations require that those seeking this exemption display their evaluation of top quality. They will not just be handed this request that easily. Schools are a foundation for these drivers; therefore, they must be of top quality to produce top-quality drivers. They must observe all the regulations in place. The request is now open to a 30-day comment period and will be assessed before anything is done.  

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