New CDL Requirements
New CDL Requirements Take Effect Monday and Could Cost You Up to $8,500 and Weeks of Training
New federal requirements for a commercial drivers license (CDL) take hold Monday, and it could have a major impact on anything from hauling grain to picking up a piece of equipment that's more than 150 miles from your farm.
(File Photo )
By Tyne Morgan February 4, 2022
New federal requirements for a commercial drivers license (CDL) take hold Monday, and it could have a major impact on anything from hauling grain or livestock to picking up a piece of equipment that's more than 150 miles from your farm.
According to the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (ILFA), the new requirements could have a major impact on the movement of inputs. The Association says the new requirements mean an entry-level driver must successfully complete a prescribed program on theory and behind-the-wheel instruction provided by a school or other entity listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry, all prior to taking the CDL test.
"No longer will be the days of obtaining a learner’s permit, driving with a CDL holder for as little as a few hours and then taking the CDL road test," says ILFA. "This new process will become more detailed and will take more time than the previous CDL process."
"For agriculture, it will really be the same impact as the transportation industry. If you need to obtain a CDL, it's more hoops to jump through. With the shortage of drivers already existing, adding in the new requirement will deter drivers from getting into transportation, further decreasing the pool of CDL drivers," says Kelly Krapu, safety director for True North Compliance Services in West Fargo, N.D., a company that helps trucking companies and drivers navigate rules and regulations on the road.
New CDL Requirements
Starting Monday, Feb. 7, anyone obtaining an entry level CDL, will be required to obtain a higher level of training. According to the new ELDT regulations, the new training will be required for anyone:
- seeking a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time
- upgrading an existing Class B CDL to Class A CDL
- obtaining a first-time school bus (S), passenger (P) or hazardous materials (H) endorsement.
With the changes, to either obtain a Class B or A, or upgrade from a Class B to a Class A:
- Drivers will be required to obtain training (theory and behind-the wheel) PRIOR to taking the CDL knowledge test for a commercial learner’s permit (CLP)
- Training must be provided by an entity or individual listed on the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry
- The State Driver Licensing Agency will be required to verify training has been completed before allowing the driver to proceed to the next step (this is done via electronic records uploaded by the trainer)
- If a new driver presents to the State Licensing Bureau without training, they will be turned away
Prior to Feb. 7, in order to get a CDL, applicants had to do the following:
- Obtain a medical certificate (if required for your operation there are some exemptions)
- Complete the CDL application and pay state fee
- Provide proof of identity
- Pass knowledge test
- Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) issued
- Use CLP in a commercial vehicle with another CDL holder until comfortable (minimum waiting time varies by state)
- Return to State Licensing Bureau for road test – pass the road test
- Issued a CDL (class of license depends on test taken and vehicle used)
According to Krapu, the changes will be costly, not only in terms of money but also time.
"These classes range from $2,500 to $8,500, depending on the trainer, and can take from 3 days to 20 days depending on the individuals experience," she says.
Krapu says farmers are exempt from CDL requirements as long as they stay within a 150-air-mile radius of their farm operation. However, there are some areas of which Krapu says farmers should take note.
"If a farmer who is located in Ellendale, N.D., wants to drive their one ton pick-up with a flat bed trailer to pick up a new tractor for their farm in Omaha, Neb., they would be subject to regulations because they are outside the 150 miles from their operation and all federal transportation regulations would then apply, including needing a CDL to go get the new tractor in Nebraska," says Krapu.
New CDL Requirements Could Cripple Truck Driving Industry
Krapu says as she helps drivers navigate the new regulations, she worries it's going to be yet another barrier for an industry already facing a shortage of truck drivers nationwide.
"It is going to impact driver shortages at a time of critical supply issues and at a time where the transportation industry is already facing a large number of driver shortages," she says.
So, what happens if a driver doesn't follow the new regulations? Krapu says if you're outside the 150-mile radius, there are repercussions to consider.
"If the driver is operating outside the 150-air-mile 'safe zone' of the farm operation, law enforcement will request valid CDL and the truck/driver will put out-of-service until a qualified driver can come drive the truck to its destination," she says.
-
We can't find school bus drivers as it is, this will make it harder. Several of our county's bus drivers can't pass the DOT physical and would be unemployed.
3 -
Mostly pertains to first timers and up grades it seems. All my training complies with the new standards anyway.
3 -
What is this going to do to retirees/snowbirds/vacationers that are wheeling around 40’+ motor homes that weigh over 26,000 not including the vehicle they are inevitably towing?
lf I have four head of horses on our big living quarters horse trailer, I’m just over 26k, and if I’m using it, I am generally in excess of 150 miles from home. Am I getting a CDL, don’t think so at that price. I’ll run on luck of not being stopped by the DOT.
looks like the opening of a new can of worms to me
Mule
9 -
This is bound to help the economy... requesting newbies pay a lot to drive
3 -
"What is this going to do to retirees/snowbirds/vacationers that are wheeling around 40’+ motor homes that weigh over 26,000 not including the vehicle they are inevitably towing?"
RVs are exempt. I would also think your horse trailer would be classified as an RV. If they're not, they should.
That being said, the way some of these old geezers drive those Queen Mary sized motor homes with a toad behind, I'm thinking a CDL for RVs might not be a bad idea.
12 -
Horse Plains Drifter: 30500636510235/comments/30500610859803
"What is this going to do to retirees/snowbirds/vacationers that are wheeling around 40’+ motor homes that weigh over 26,000 not including the vehicle they are inevitably towing?"
RVs are exempt. I would also think your horse trailer would be classified as an RV. If they're not, they should.
if that’s the case, I may slip under the wire as Idaho makes me license it as an RV since it has living quarters and a bathroom.
THX
Mule
0 -
Just more American jobs being exported? Welcome Mexican and Canadian drivers! Or are they held to the same requirements?
3 -
pingjockey: 30500636510235/comments/30500611103259
Just more American jobs being exported? Welcome Mexican and Canadian drivers! Or are they held to the same requirements?
No I think they would have lower requirements. Well, maybe not the Canadians......
I'll bet the mechanical condition of most of these Mexican trucks is something to behold. Think Montana, and Idaho gypo logger.
3 -
"What is this going to do to retirees/snowbirds/vacationers that are wheeling around 40’+ motor homes that weigh over 26,000 not including the vehicle they are inevitably towing?"
Same as before: NUTTIN
When I worked in a Colorado RV park, numerous times some Geezer showed up with a big RV and 'TOAD' but couldn't walk the 50' from the circle drive to the office door. The park employees were strictly forbidden from parking campers so the park owner spent 2-3 hours each evening wrangling these vehicles into their assigned spots (unfortunately, he wasn't a great RV wrangler himself).
After that summer, I feel a bit of a twinge each and every time I meet an RV.
0 -
The worst part of the whole scenario here is we have politicians, mostly lawyers who NEVER sat in a cab, let alone drive an 18 wheeler make laws.
Right now we are in a crisis mode because of shortages from food to lumber due to a driver shortage.
Having great difficulty thinking of an industry more regulated and TAXED that trucking.
SO what does a benevolent federal Biden DEMOCRAT government do: Exacerbate the situation.
Truckers need to just PARK their rigs for a couple of weeks. Let the shelves go empty in the big cities and watch the panic. Should be great entertainment on CNN & MSDNC, maybe then bureaucrats will learn a valuable lesson.
12 -
If all truckers parked their rigs, it wouldn't take 2 weeks. In five days there would be no food in the grocery store, and no gas at the gas station. You would see the collapse of society.
12 -
chiefr: 30500636510235/comments/30500607705627
The worst part of the whole scenario here is we have politicians, mostly lawyers who NEVER sat in a cab, let alone drive an 18 wheeler make laws.
Right now we are in a crisis mode because of shortages from food to lumber due to a driver shortage.
Having great difficulty thinking of an industry more regulated and TAXED that trucking.
SO what does a benevolent federal Biden DEMOCRAT government do: Exacerbate the situation.
Truckers need to just PARK their rigs for a couple of weeks. Let the shelves go empty in the big cities and watch the panic. Should be great entertainment on CNN & MSDNC, maybe then bureaucrats will learn a valuable lesson.
These laws were passed 12/2016. you are right by politicians that don't know s#*t.
0 -
allen griggs: 30500636510235/comments/30500621733787
If all truckers parked their rigs, it wouldn't take 2 weeks. In five days there would be no food in the grocery store, and no gas at the gas station. You would see the collapse of society.
Bad approach IMHO. Why punish people that have nothing to do with the issue?
Seems to be in line with punishing law abiding gun owners for the criminals and mentally disturbed.
Hopefully there is a better solution.
6 -
CDL did not come out until 1992. Until then, each state had they're on class for commercial driver's license. Don
6 -
Man we like to have it both ways on this forum.
Dozens or maybe hundreds of posts complaining about “bad truckers” & the fed steps in and updates the training requirements and now we are mad at excess government control.
6 -
where’s the BSR running dialog when it’s needed.
Mule
0 -
I bought the first semi I was ever in (1975). Then I learned to drive it. I drove it with a straight truck chauffeur's license for a month until I finally got around to up-grading my license. Boy, those days are long gone.
0 -
Bidens wife and kids were killed by a tractor trailer. This was on the list of things to do. He doesn't care of any repercussions to the economy.
0 -
jimdeere: 30500636510235/comments/30500599407003
We can't find school bus drivers as it is, this will make it harder. Several of our county's bus drivers can't pass the DOT physical and would be unemployed.
Yep. There's a reason they're targeting the trucking industry like this and it's nefarious. It's going to do nothing but hurt the economy and it's going according to plan.
3
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
19 comments