FMCSA Extends Driver Training Compliance Deadline

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended the compliance deadline for new training requirements for entry-level drivers, including those who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that haul hazardous materials.

FMCSA extended the deadline until February 7, 2022.

In July 2019, FMCSA proposed extending the compliance deadline for certain provisions of the Final Rule. The new Interim Final Rule will extend the deadline for the entire Final Rule.   

See the Interim Final Rule (IFR) to extend the training deadline.

What’s In the Entry Level Driver Training Rule?

Finalized in December 2016, the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) Final Rule creates minimum training requirements for drivers who are applying for a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for the first time and those who are seeking a CDL hazmat endorsement for the first time, among other groups.
The new driver training rules cover specific topics, such as:

• Basic competencies for safely operating a CMV, including safe operation of emergency control features, special vehicle handling characteristics, rollover prevention, and properties and hazards of the hazardous materials transported;
• Applicable requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and procedures for safe operation of a motor vehicle, including special precautions for fires, loading and unloading, operation of cargo tank and motor vehicle equipment, and shut-off/shut-down information;
• How to safely fuel a vehicle that contains hazmat and when to check tire pressure.

New Hazmat Training Requirements for Drivers

Many of the proposed hazmat training requirements for CMV drivers mirror the existing training rules for “hazmat employees.” As defined in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) the term hazmat employee comprises any employee who can affect the safety of a hazmat shipment.

Specifically, the portions of the Final Rule dedicated to hazardous materials cover issues like:

• Basic hazardous materials competencies, including applicability of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR);  
• Communication requirements like shipping papers, marks, labels, placards, emergency response information, and more;
• Reporting mandates for hazmat transportation incidents and how to submit hazmat incident reports; and;
• Proper loading and unloading procedures for hazardous materials cargo.

FMCSA will accept comments on the compliance deadline extension until March 20, 2020.

Now Available: Hazmat Driver Training at Lion.com

The Shipping Hazmat by Ground—Driver (Course Code: CAR 200) online course prepares employees to safely and properly accept and transport hazardous materials in a motor vehicle. The course is designed to help employers meet DOT training mandates for hazmat employees by providing general awareness, security awareness, and function-specific training as required by DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). 

US DOT requires all hazmat employees to complete training within 90 days of hire. Hazmat employees must work under supervision until trained. Training must be repeated in full once every three years (49 CFR 172.704).

Tags: driver training, FMCSA, hazmat CDL, hazmat endorsement, hazmat training