Beginning July 20, 2004, employers of commercial vehicle drivers operating in interstate commerce must make sure that entry-level drivers receive training
covering the following four areas:
-- Driver qualification requirements, including federal rules on medical certification, medical examination procedures, general qualifications, responsibilities, and disqualifications based on various offenses, orders and loss of driving privileges.
-- Hours of service, including limitations on driving hours, the requirement to be off-duty for certain periods of time, record of duty status preparation, and exceptions, and fatigue countermeasures as a means to avoid crashed.
-- Driver wellness, covering basic health maintenance including diet and exercise, also the importance of avoiding excessive use of alcohol.
-- Whistleblower protection, including the right of an employee to questions the safety practices of an employer without the employee’s risk of losing a job or being subject to reprisals simply for stating a safety concern.
The rule applies to all drivers who began operating a CMV after July 20, 2003. Those who started driving between July 20, 2003 and October 18, 2004 must have the required training no later than Oct. 18, 2004.
Drivers must be given a certificate or diploma certifying that mandated training was received. Employers must have a copy of the certificate in the driver’s personnel or qualification file.
The new rules are in response to a study, mandated by the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, which found private sector training of entry-level drivers in the heavy truck motorcoach and school bus industries was inadequate.
The final rule, including discussion, was published in the May 21 Federal Register, available at www.gpo.access.gov .