Solutions to Train CMV Drivers and Comply With ELDT Regulations

The trucking industry faces several challenges -- among them are driver shortages and turnover rates. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), there was a shortage of 80,000 drivers in 2021; the ATA estimates that this number could rise to over 160,000 by 2030. With these numbers growing, the 2022 introduction of a new regulation for the industry felt like another layer of red tape.

In February 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented the Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulation. With this added mandate, potential commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers would now need formal training before they could obtain their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and/or HAZMAT Endorsement. The training requires that a Registered Training Provider covers specific content areas through both theory training and behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction.

While the ELDT is helping to ensure that CMV drivers are getting on the road safely, it is also adding a new financial burden to companies looking to recruit and hire drivers. Sending drivers to driving schools can cost companies anywhere between $3,000-$10,000. This price tag can quickly become financially burdensome when the turnover rate is also a leading issue within the trucking industry.

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), like many other industries, understand the vital role the trucking community plays in the economy. With that in mind, NPGA created the Administrative Compliance Experts (ACE) Services. These services aim to relieve some of the administrative and financial load that companies may face.

ACE Services is different from other Registered Training Providers in that it does not provide the ELDT in-person; its online model allows for the cost to be lower than what most traditional driving schools charge. NPGA teamed up with its sister organization, Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), to create a curriculum that meets FMCSA’s ELDT specifications. ACE Services offers courses for drivers looking to get their CDL Class A, CDL Class B, and HAZMAT Endorsement.

All the training materials and requirements of the ELDT can be found and completed through the online Learning Center in which these courses are housed. The theory portion of the ELDT is broken up into several modules based on the CDL Class, with an assessment that must also be completed and passed. As for the BTW training, ACE Services provides forms and checklists to guide a qualified peer driver to serve as a BTW instructor. These forms cover all the areas and sections mandated by the ELDT regulation. The individual who serves as the instructor is required to have had their CDL for at least 2 years, hold it in the Class in which they are instructing, and be in good standing. The completed forms are then reviewed by ACE Services personnel for submission into FMCSA.

In addition to providing the ELDT at more cost-friendly rates, ACE helps companies cut through the red tape by making the administrative constraints for companies simpler. ACE is a Registered Training Provider through NPGA which means in addition to being able to provide the training material, NPGA is also allowed to handle all the compliance matters like documentation review, FMCSA driver submissions, record-keeping, and any audits from the States or from FMCSA. The goal is for the company to be able to focus on getting the driver trained and on the road, while ACE handles all the backend items.

Since the inception of ACE Services in February 2022, there have been over 5,000 enrollments across 42 states and over 400 companies. While the services were created with the propane industry in mind, it is not limited to it. Industries such as Agriculture, Waste, Construction, Steel, Towing, and Cities and Municipalities are using ACE Services for their workforce development.

Women make up 13% of truck driving positions and are a key factor in addressing driver shortages across industries. ACE Services can help that number grow by offering training and professional development opportunities for women in trucking!

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