{"id":1305,"date":"2017-04-12T19:08:44","date_gmt":"2017-04-12T19:08:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=1305"},"modified":"2017-04-12T19:08:44","modified_gmt":"2017-04-12T19:08:44","slug":"an-update-on-trucking-and-military-truck-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/an-update-on-trucking-and-military-truck-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"An Update On Trucking And Military Truck Drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s been a lot of movement lately where military truck drivers are concerned. It appears the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is setting out to clarify and seek comment on several new proposals related to military truck drivers transitioning into the civilian trucking industry<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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First up, the FMCSA is looking to launch an interstate pilot program designed for military-trained truck drivers who happen to be under 21 years of age. Proposed in mid-August, the FAST Act<\/a>-stipulated program would clear the way for truckers under 21 to operate their vehicles across state lines provided they have prior experience operating large vehicles in the military.<\/p>\n

Under-21 Pilot Program for Military Truck Drivers<\/strong><\/p>\n

The current rule only allows for under-21 CDL holders to drive intrastate. Now open for public comment, the agency wants to know what you think about this proposed change. Of course, there are other details to consider.<\/p>\n

As part of the proposal, the FMCSA mandates that any under-21 truck drivers in the pilot program must be sponsored by a motor carrier. The same motor carrier must also have an over-21 truck driver with similar training and experience operating as part of a control group.<\/p>\n

At the end of the three-year pilot, the FMCSA will then look at the safety records of both groups. If it appears that there are safety issues in the under-21 group, it might be determined that age does represent a critical safety factor.<\/p>\n

Motor carriers participating in the pilot program must have an electronic logging device installed in all the vehicles used by either the pilot or the control group. The FMCSA is also considering requiring carriers to install onboard monitoring systems, but hasn\u2019t finalized that yet.<\/p>\n

CDL Waiver for Military Truck Drivers<\/strong><\/p>\n

The second dive into military truck drivers and transitioning into the civilian workforce surrounds the CDL test. Currently, states can waive the general knowledge test needed to obtain a CDL if the person taking the test has either current or former military experience.<\/p>\n

On October 27, the FMCSA issued a two-year exemption to that rule. The exemption essentially allows military truck drivers to list their time operating a military vehicle as training credit. The FMCSA acknowledged the many hours of classroom and practical skills training military truck drivers undergo every day.<\/p>\n

The new exemption still leaves the power in states\u2019 hands, however. State driver licensing agencies will be able to choose whether to waive the knowledge test. States will also be given assistance in setting up programs to verify the eligibility of applicant participants.<\/p>\n

There are also requirements surrounding who can apply for the extension:<\/p>\n