The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established new minimum training standards for certain individuals applying for:
- Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time
- An upgrade of their CDL (e.g., a Class B CDL holder seeking a Class A CDL)
- Applying for an endorsement on their CDL for the first time:
- Hazardous materials (H),
- Passenger (P),
- School bus (S)
New drivers will be required to complete a prescribed Entry Level Driving Training (ELDT) program consisting of three parts:
1) Theory (Knowledge)
2) Behind-the-Wheel Closed Range
3) Behind-the-Wheel Public Road
PTSI is developing an online theory curriculum to meet the requirements of the “theory” portion of this new requirement. Upon completing PTSI’s Online Theory course, the driver candidate will receive a certificate and be placed into the federal database as having satisfied this portion of the training.
PTSI will also be providing ELDT Trainer’s Guides which design and guide the delivery of the Behind the Wheel (BTW) portions of the requirement for both BTW Closed Range and BTW Public Road portions. These guides will be a comprehensive plan for setting up the closed range course and providing the required training in your own open lot.
The BTW Public Road guide will identify the necessary public road characteristics and circumstances needed for the driver to meet the requirements. Both Trainer’s Guides will identify what “proficiency” looks like behind the wheel for the driver to be successful.
Each school district or bus contractor will need to register as training provider to deliver the BTW Range and BTW Road portions, and upon completion, will place the driver candidate name into the federal database.
The DMV will then verify with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database that the required Online Theory, BTW Closed Range, and BTW Public Road training have been completed when the driver candidate applies for the CDL.
PTSI has more than 25 years of experience in developing training for the pupil transportation industry and is currently in the process of becoming certified as a registered training provider for the ELDT.
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Need to Train Large Numbers of Driver Candidates Online with PTSI? PTSI will have volume discounts for school districts and contractors who want to put all their candidates through this effective and cost efficient training. Contact PTSI Sales at (800) 836-2210 x 310 for more information.
For more information, please register at: https://ptsi.org/eldt/