If your fleet uses a third-party entry-level driver training provider or operates your own in-house training, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s removal of thousands of providers from its training provider registry means you should take a look at your or your provider’s program.

J.J. Keller & Associates is offering a free ELDT Audit Checklist and its Safe & Smart ELDT Trainer Certification Program to help companies ensure compliance and prepare for audits.

As HDT reported last week, more than 3,000 ELDT providers have already been removed from the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry for non-compliance, and another 4,500 are at risk. The FMCSA is reviewing all 16,000 providers for adherence to the ELDT rule, which went into effect in 2022.

For companies relying on a third-party ELDT provider, removal from the TPR could cause significant driver onboarding delays, noted J.J. Keller.

What Does J.J. Keller's ELDT Audit Checklist Cover?

The checklist covers:

• Training materials

• Documentation

• Instructor qualifications

• Student records

• Vehicle records

• Training assessments

• Retention requirements

Looking to Bring ELDT Training in House?

In addition, according to Kufahl, bringing training in-house with J.J. Keller’s Safe & Smart ELDT Trainer Certification Program provides turnkey resources to start delivering compliant, high-quality training without depending on an outside provider. 

“Our Safe & Smart program meets all ELDT requirements while developing excellent trainers and drivers,” said Dustin Kufahl, vice president of consulting and training services at J.J. Keller.

“You’re able to deliver best-in-class training that’s engaging and puts driver safety first. In fact, our clients have seen a 20% greater driver retention rate, which dramatically improves training ROI.”

For companies already providing ELDT training in-house, J.J. Keller’sELDT Trainer Certification Programensures ELDT compliance while delivering an in-depth, hands-on curriculum that can be tailored for a company’s vehicles, cargo, and company culture.