Driving an enormous vehicle that transports goods and people is much more difficult than driving a passenger vehicle. Because of this, the law requires drivers of commercial vehicles to have a different license than other drivers. In order to get this commercial driver’s license, applicants must complete specific training.
However, at least one federal agency thinks more can be done to ensure truckers are better trained and prepared before receiving a commercial driver’s license. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has recently announced a proposal to improve and further regulate CDL requirements.
According to reports, the proposed rule includes a few different factors. First, it would establish a list of registered training providers. These providers would be approved by the FMCSA and would be identified as those that comply with minimum qualifications for training resources and instructors.
The rule would also create a core curriculum consisting of two sections truckers must complete before receiving a CDL. The first section tests theoretical skills. This involves understanding how to operate, inspect and control a truck in addition to comprehension of hours of service rules and crash procedures, among other things.
The second section of the curriculum would involve driving time. Operators eligible for a CDL must complete at least 30 hours of driving time, including 10 hours on a driving range.
Whether the proposed rule is approved or not remains to be seen. If it is, hopefully it will improve trucker training and make them safer behind the wheel, which could lead to fewer catastrophic accidents.
However, no matter how much training a person may have, the potential for mistakes and accidents still exists. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a trucking accident, it can be crucial that you work with an attorney to determine if inadequate training, negligence or recklessness contributed to the crash. If so, you can be eligible to recover damages, which can be considerable.
