Long wait times to retest for a CDL license remains in some states. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)
WASHINGTON — CDL skills-testing delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic may not have been as extensive as previously assumed, based on new data released by federal regulators.
A congressionally mandated survey report compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for calendar years 2017 through 2020 and made public Thursday, found that the pandemic “did not appear to seriously impact delays experienced in scheduling CDL skills tests through 2020.”
In addition, when comparing the change in average wait times from year to year for both initial CDL skills tests and CDL skills retests (after failing an initial test), the pandemic “did not have an obvious impact on states overall, and most states appeared to have fairly consistent wait times from year to year,” according to the report.
FMCSA’s survey found that the biggest changes in wait times occurred when scheduling a CDL skills retest versus an initial test. “However, most states saw fluctuations in both directions (e.g., an increase in a year followed by a decrease the following year), indicating that states are working to minimize wait times when possible,” the report stated.
It noted that as of 2020, Delaware, North Dakota and Wisconsin were among states with the largest decrease in average wait time for scheduling a CDL skills retest, while Indiana had the largest increase. (See tables below.)
Top 6 most improved CDL retest wait times (2019-2020)
| State | Avg. Wait time (days) |
|---|---|
| Delaware | -15 |
| North Dakota | -12 |
| Wisconsin | -12 |
| South Dakota | -2 |
| Illinois | -1 |
| Oregon | -1 |
Wait-time requirements
Federal regulations require that an applicant hold a Commercial Learner’s Permit for a minimum of 14 days before taking an initial CDL skills test, according to FMCSA. While each state decides whether to require only the federal minimum or impose a longer waiting period, most states adhere to the federal minimum.
Mandatory waiting periods for CDL skills retests (after experiencing one or more failures) are largely the result of individual state regulations. There is a federal requirement that third-party tests be scheduled with two business days’ notice to the state, but any other waiting periods are state-imposed and vary among states, which is why the net scheduling wait time — total wait time less any mandatory waiting period — is used.
For FMCSA’s annual surveys, states are asked to report their use of state resources (official government agencies or contractors who report directly to them), and third parties (non-governmental organizations).
State resources typically include state licensing agencies and state law enforcement agencies. Typical third parties are commercial vehicle training schools, community colleges and motor carriers allowed to test their own employees.
Of the 42 states that provided responses on their CDL skills testing programs, eight do not use third-party resources, nine use only third-party resources, and 25 use both state and third-party resources.
Top 6 least improved CDL retest wait times (2019-2020)
| State | Avg. Wait time (days) |
|---|---|
| Indiana | +14 |
| Nevada | +8 |
| Rhode Island | +7 |
| California | +5 |
| South Carolina | +5 |
| Louisiana | +4 |
Causes for delays
CDL test wait-time data was sought by Congress in 2015 after a Government Accountability Office report found significant variance among states’ CDL skills test delays — i.e., the time between when CDL applicants initially request to take the skills test and the first opportunity offered to them.
GAO found several possible causes for the delays, including:
- The expiration of an applicant’s CLP, requiring the applicant to renew the permit.
- Financial hardship due to training costs and the wait time before acquiring a paying job of driving with a CDL.
- A loss of potential CMV drivers who find alternate employment before obtaining a CDL.
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