How well are mandatory entry-level driver training requirements working to improve trucking safety? The American Transportation Institute’s new research project aims to get some insight into that question.

The Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations were finalized in 2016 and went into effect in 2022, after years of back and forth between FMCSA and the courts. 

In simple terms, the ELDT rule sets new federal minimum standards for CDL training schools, including those operated by motor carriers, as Heavy Duty Trucking reported in 2023.

Critics at the time complained that the rules had been watered down. As we reported in 2016, the final rule required no behind-the-wheel training standard for student drivers.

That led the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association's Todd Spencer to tell HDT, “It’s absurd that the required amount of hours behind the wheel training is zero. Hairdressers and barbers have a minimum. Pilots have a minimum. It’s totally insulting to professional truckers that have dedicated their lives to driving safely and sharing the highways with others.”

Entry-Level Driver Training An ATRI Research Priority

Looking at the rule’s effectiveness was one of the research priorities this year for ATRI. It is now asking motor carriers to participate in this research project analyzing the impacts of new entrant truck driver training on safety and retention. The study is an update to research published by ATRI in 2008, before the ELDT rule was finalized.

In announcing its priorities earlier this year, ATRI said that questions persist about the effectiveness of training programs in preparing drivers for real-world challenges.

The qualifications and training of truck drivers have come under scrutiny lately, particularly in the wake of the highly publicized August 12 fatal crash in Florida. Three people died when their mini-van smashed into the side of a trailer blocking the road as a non-domiciled CDL holder with poor English skills blocked made an illegal U-turn.

Following that crash, American Trucking Associations Chief Operating Officer Dan Horvath said in a statement that “ATA believes robust entry-level driver training standards are critically important to preventing accidents like this one, but we remain concerned that fraudulent and non-compliant entities continue to fast-track CDL applicants with minimal, if any, training.”

To Participate in the ATRI Entry-Level Driver Training Study:

Participating carriers are required to submit the following data points for each of their new-entrant drivers:

• Demographics – days employed, CDL training provider, total miles driven, etc.

• Driver-specific safety events – crashes, select violations, and select telematic events

For the purposes of this research, new entrants are defined as CDL drivers who have been driving professionally for 3 weeks to 24 months, and whose first professional truck driving job was with the participating carrier (i.e., they had no prior truck driving employer). 

Any driver who has met this definition since March 2022 could be included in the data collection. 

In addition, participating motor carriers will be asked to report fleetwide averages for training and retention metrics such as hours of driving with a trainer and nights home per week.

Participating carriers must have employed a minimum of 25 new entrant drivers in the requested time period (March 2022 – August 2025).

All data is strictly confidential, and ATRI is prepared to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement for participation in this research. All data will be anonymized and published in aggregate form only.

If interested in participating, complete the motor carrier questionnaire.