The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has scheduled a public listening session on how to test the trucking knowledge of would-be carriers, brokers and freight forwarders.

The proficiency exam has been on the agency’s to-do list for several years, but Congress got the clock ticking in earnest when it included this requirement in last year’s highway bill. The January 13 session will be the first in a series, the agency said.

The objective is to test applicants’ understanding of safety rules and standards.

The agency is looking for industry comments on a range of questions, starting with whether the exam should include just regulations or industry best practices as well.

Other questions:

• Where can applicants go to learn best practices?

• Should the exam be offered to just company safety employees or should consultants be allowed to take the test on behalf of the company?

• Should the agency administer the test directly, or should it retain a private contractor?

The listening session will be held at the American Bus Association’s Marketplace conference in Nashville, Tenn.