A major trucking advocacy organization is calling on Congress to toughen the process for obtaining a commercial driver’s license and to take action against foreign truckers operating in the U.S.
The American Trucking Associations announced it has sent a letter to congressional leaders today urging them to enhance training, testing, and licensing standards for CDL-holders.
In addition to calling on Congress to close regulatory loopholes, ATA said it raised concerns about cabotage – the illegal practice of foreign carriers conducting domestic freight movements – which the association said poses an ongoing threat to the viability of U.S. carriers.
ATA said Congress should:
- Codify President Trump’s executive order on English language proficiency (ELP) for truck drivers
- Direct the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to initiate a rulemaking requiring an ELP test as part of the CDL issuance process
- Require individuals to hold a standard driver’s license for at least one year before becoming eligible for a CDL, with limited exceptions for certain workforce training programs
- Strengthen federal and state oversight of CDL issuance and testing to ensure only fully qualified drivers enter the industry
- Expedite the removal of non-compliant training providers from the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR)
- Strengthen enforcement and penalties against illegal cabotage.
“Though commercial trucking is among the most heavily regulated industries in the United States, gaps in oversight, enforcement, and qualification requirements…threaten safety on our nation’s highways,” wrote ATA President and CEO Chris Spear.
“ATA respectfully urges [Congress’] consideration of these actions to further close critical gaps in our driver qualification system, strengthen enforcement of existing standards, and prevent unsafe operators from entering or remaining in the trucking industry.”
Read ATA’s letter and full recommendations to congressional leaders here.
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