Forum

Action

Notice of Intent to Establish the Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee (ELDTAC); Solicitation of Applications and Nominations for Membership.

Summary

The FMCSA announces its intent to establish a negotiated rulemaking (“Reg Neg”) committee to negotiate and develop proposed regulations to implement section 32304 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) concerning entry-level driver training (ELDT) for commercial motor vehicles (CMV) operating in interstate or intrastate commerce. The committee will include representatives of organizations or groups with interests that are affected significantly by the subject matter of the proposed regulations. The FMCSAanticipates that these parties will include driver organizations, CMV training organizations, motor carriers of property and passengers and their associations, State licensing agencies, State enforcement agencies, labor unions, safety advocacy groups, and insurance companies. This notice provides notice to parties who seek to serve on the committee, and seeks comment on the proposal to establish the Committee and on the proposed membership. To the extent possible, the Agency will select from the nominees individual negotiators who reflect the diversity among the organizations or groups represented.
Dates

The deadline for comments and nominations for Committee members must be received on or before January 9, 2015.
Addresses

You may submit comments identified by Docket Number FMCSA-2007-27748 using any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.

To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” portion of theSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATIONsection for instructions on submitting comments.
Submission of Nominations

All nomination materials should be submitted electronically via email to eldtac@dot.gov. Any person needing accessibility accommodations should contact Ms. Shannon L. Watson, Senior Policy Advisor, FMCSA, at (202) 366-2551.
For Further Information Contact

Shannon L. Watson, Office of Policy, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001 or by telephone at 202-366-2551.

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FMCSA-2007-27748-0853

Comment posted by Allen Smith of North American Trucking Alerts on FMCSA Regulations.Gov http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FMCSA-2007-27748-0853

Link to Comment posted by Allen Smith
http://www.northamericantruckingalerts.com/fls/ELDTAC.Submission.pdf

COMMENT

North American
Trucking Alerts
Dunnellon, Florida

From the Desk of:
Allen Smith, Co-Founder
P.O. Box 2628
Dunnellon, Florida 34430

In response to Docket No. FMCSA-2007-27748 regarding comments and the solicitation of nominations for membership of the Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee (ELDTAC), I respectively submit the following comments for consideration.
The nomination included in this comment has been submitted via email: eldtac@dot.gov in accordance with the "Submission of Nominations" instructions.

In 1976, the FHA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on “recommended practices” to improve CDL training. At this time, 38 years ago, data was known to show that accidents in commercial motor vehicles were occurring during the first few months of the drivers’ employment.
As history clearly notes, the need to establish a nationalized standard for entry-level driver training has been ongoing for nearly four decades, specifically in the area that this training curriculum must include “on-road” training, regardless of the training costs which have been a major and primary concern for motor carriers. For the safety of the driver, as well as the general motoring public, costs should not be a factor.
In order for an established committee to accurately and fairly negotiate and develop proposed regulations to implement section 32304 of MAP-21 in regards to this matter, the committee must consist of members who represent all sides of the trucking industry. It is widely considered by a majority of professional CDL drivers that such committees are highly lacking in proper member representation of drivers, as in the example of the FMCSA’s MCSAC committee.
The MCSAC committee consists of 20 members in which 7 represent motor carriers, 4 represent law enforcement and 6 represent advocacy safety groups. It is clear through this committee alone, that out of the 20 members, only one has the opportunity to speak on behalf of CDL drivers.
The Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee must break new ground in providing member seats that are occupied by those industry professionals that have the knowledge, experience and current skills associated with not just industry-standard agendas, but the fair representation of the industry as a whole, including the professional CDL driver.
As co-founder of the North American Trucking Alerts (NATA), it is our recommendation to nominate Mr. Richard Wilson to the member board of the ELDTAC, based on his broad and extensive background within the industry, his active involvement in D.C., and his proven track record with concerns for safety, the betterment of the industry and as a supportive voice for the professional driver.
As founder and CEO of TCRG Consulting, a division of Transportation Compliance Resource Group, LLC., Mr. Wilson has been involved in the trucking industry since 1976 and works extensively with both motor carriers and drivers in maintaining compliance with DOT/Federal Motor Carrier Regulations. He also is active in assisting motor carriers and industry clients in the following areas, all of which are directly associated and are in correlation with the FMCSA’s intent in establishing the ELDTAC:
• Driver Training
• Driver Qualifications
• New Entrant Carrier Set up and Training
• Costs Analysis and Data Gathering
• Safety Management Services
• Regulatory Interpretation

On regular occasion, Mr. Wilson continues to operate a CMV among his family-owned business, which will further bring a balanced experience to the committee by a member who is a current and active CDL driver. We appreciate the task at hand which the FMCSA is faced and further appreciate the administration in its goal to establish a nationalized standard for entry-level driver training requirements.

Based on the FMCSA’s criteria for ELDTAC membership, NATA believes that Mr. Richard Wilson clearly exceeds these criteria and fully supports and recommends Mr. Wilson as a nominee to sit on the board of membership to the Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee.

Thank you for your consideration,

Allen Smith

Thanks Acetraveler.

I agree! 2 weeks should be enough. There are those who have driven 20 years, take a few months off, and then are told to take a refresher.