Under-21 driver pilot program raises carrier reporting concerns
From Transport Topics. While trucking industry trade groups have expressed support for a federal apprenticeship program that will train under-21 drivers to operate tractor-trailers across state lines, concerns are being raised that some of the initiative’s reporting requirements for motor carriers are overly burdensome. In particular, both American Trucking Associations and the Truckload Carriers Association…
From Transport Topics.
While trucking industry trade groups have expressed support for a federal apprenticeship program that will train under-21 drivers to operate tractor-trailers across state lines, concerns are being raised that some of the initiative’s reporting requirements for motor carriers are overly burdensome.
In particular, both American Trucking Associations and the Truckload Carriers Association said in comments filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that data collection requirements outlined for the pilot program could slow down its implementation.
The pilot, expected to get underway in a few months, will allow young intrastate truck drivers and their motor carriers to enroll in a program that will require training and close monitoring for the young drivers to cross state lines, with an experienced driver sitting with them in the cab during training.
Comments from the trucking groups and others were filed in response to a Jan. 7 FMCSA Federal Register information collection request.
FMCSA has requested lightning-speed approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget of its request. While the agency’s request allowed only five days for public comment, OMB has not yet acted on it.
In its information request, FMCSA estimated data collection for the pilot would require 20 minutes per response for carrier, apprentice and experienced driver application forms; 15 minutes per response for safety benchmark certifications; 60 minutes per month per driver for monthly driving and safety data; and 90 minutes per month for miscellaneous data submission.
“The draft information collection request may create unnecessary administrative burdens and/or prevent or delay small and medium- sized motor carriers from participating in the program, limiting the success of the program, potentially significantly,” ATA said in its comments. “Every additional burden placed on motor carriers may reduce the number participating.”
See the complete article online at Transport Topics.