The entry-level driver training rule establishes minimum training standards for drivers:

• Applying for their initial commercial driver’s license (CDL);
• Upgrading their current CDL; or
• Obtaining a passenger, school bus, or hazardous materials endorsement for the first time.

An entry-level driver must, prior to taking the CDL skills test, successfully complete a prescribed program of theory and behind-the-wheel instruction provided by a school or other entity listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry (TPR).

• Specific types of drivers are affected by compliance requirements for entry-level driver training.

These requirements apply to all entry-level drivers who drive in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce and are subject to commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements.

• Various definitions clarify key terms involving entry-level driver training compliance.

Commercial driver’s license (CDL): A license issued to an individual by a state or other jurisdiction of domicile, in accordance with the standards contained in 49 CFR 383, to an individual who authorizes the individual to operate a class of commercial motor vehicles.

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV): A motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle is a:

• Combination Vehicle (Group A) — Having a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) or gross combination weight (GCW) of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater. The towed unit(s) must have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 10,000 pounds, whichever is greater; or
• Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B) — Having a GVWR or GVW of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or
• Small Vehicle (Group C) — Does not meet Group A or B requirements but is either:
  • Designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
  • Of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in 383.5.

Entry-level driver: An individual who must complete the CDL skills test requirements under 383.71 prior to receiving a CDL for the first time; upgrading to a Class A or Class B CDL, or obtaining a passenger or school bus endorsement for the first time. An individual must complete the CDL knowledge test requirements to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement.

Range: An area that:

• Must be free of obstructions,
• Enables the driver to maneuver safely and free from interference from other vehicles and hazards, and
• Has adequate sight lines.

Theory instruction: Knowledge instruction on the operation of a CMV and related matters provided by a theory instructor through lectures, demonstrations, audio-visual presentations, computer-based instruction, driving simulation devices, online training, or similar means.

• A specific curriculum must be completed to acquire a Class A or Class B CDL.

A specific curriculum that includes theory and behind-the-wheel instruction must be completed to:

• Obtain an initial Class A or Class B CDL or
• Upgrade from a Class B to a Class A CDL.

• Five areas of theory instruction are specified for entry-level drivers seeking a Class A or Class B CDL.

There is no required minimum number of instruction hours for theory training, but the instructor must cover all topics set forth in the curriculum.

The curriculum addresses five areas of instruction. Instruction must cover all topics under the five areas of instruction:

1. Basic operation
   • Orientation
   • Control systems/Dashboard
   • Pre-trip inspections and post-trip inspections
   • Basic control
   • Shifting/Operating transmissions
   • Backing and docking
   • Coupling and uncoupling (Class A only)
2. Safe operating procedures
   • Visual search
   • Communication
   • Distracted driving
   • Speed management
   • Space management
   • Night operation
   • Extreme driving conditions
3. Advanced operating practices
   • Hazard perception
   • Skid control/recovery, jackknifing, and other emergencies
   • Railroad-highway grade crossings
4. Vehicle systems and reporting malfunctions
   • Identification and diagnosis of malfunctions
   • Roadside inspections
   • Maintenance
5. Non-driving activities
   • Handling and documenting cargo*
   • Environmental compliance issues*
   • Hours-of-service requirements
   • Fatigue and wellness awareness
   • Post-crash procedures*
   • External communications*
   • Whistleblower/Coercion*
   • Trip planning*
   • Drugs/Alcohol*
   • Medical requirements*

*Instruction on this topic is not required for drivers upgrading from a Class B CDL to a Class A CDL.

A written assessment must be used to determine the driver-trainee’s proficiency for each unit of instruction. The driver-trainee must receive an overall minimum score of 80 percent on the theory assessment.

• Behind-the-wheel instruction is required for drivers seeking a Class A or Class B CDL. There is no required minimum number of instruction hours for behind-the-wheel (range and public road) training, but the training instructor must cover all topics set forth in the behind-the-wheel curriculum.

Training must be conducted in the class of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in which the driver-trainee will be taking the Class A or Class B skills/road test. A simulation device may not be used to conduct the training or demonstrate proficiency.

The instructor must determine and document that each driver-trainee has demonstrated proficiency in all elements of the behind-the-wheel curriculum.

Training instructors must document the total number of clock hours each driver-trainee spends to complete the behind-the-wheel curriculum.

• For drivers trying to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL, behind-the-wheel range training is part of the process.

Behind-the-wheel range training is provided by a behind-the-wheel instructor when an entry-level driver has actual control of the power unit during a driving lesson conducted on a range. Behind-the-wheel range training does not include time an entry-level driver spends observing the operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) when that driver is not in control of the vehicle.

Behind-the-wheel range training must teach driving exercises related to basic vehicle control skills and mastery of basic maneuvers necessary to operate the vehicle safely. The training provider must teach “Get Out and Look” (GOAL) to the driver-trainee as it applies to various range training topics.

The required range training topics are:

• Vehicle inspection pre-trip/en route/post-trip
• Straight-line backing
• Alley dock backing (45/90-degree)
• Off-set backing
• Parallel parking, blind side
• Parallel parking, sight side
• Coupling and uncoupling (Class A only)

• An integral part of training for drivers who want a Class A or Class B CDL is behind-the-wheel public road instruction.

Behind-the-wheel public road training is provided by a behind-the-wheel instructor when an entry-level driver has actual control of the power unit during a driving lesson conducted on a public road. Behind-the-wheel public road training does not include the time an entry-level driver spends observing the operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) when that driver is not in control of the vehicle.

The instructor must engage in active two-way communication with the driver-trainee during all active behind-the-wheel public road training sessions.

The required public road training topics are:

• Vehicle controls, including:
  • Left turns
  • Right turns
  • Lane changes
  • Curves at highway speeds
  • Entry and exit on an interstate or controlled-access highway
• Shifting/Transmission
• Communications/Signaling
• Visual search
• Speed and space management
• Safe driver behavior
• Hours-of-service requirements
• Hazard perception*
• Railroad-highway grade crossing*
• Night operation*
• Extreme driving conditions*
• Skid control/recovery, jackknifing, and other emergencies*

*These topics must be discussed during public road training, but not necessarily performed. Driver-trainees are not required to demonstrate proficiency in these skills.

• A specific curriculum must be completed to acquire a passenger or school bus endorsement, as well as a hazardous materials endorsement.

A specific curriculum that includes theory and behind-the-wheel instruction must be completed in order to obtain a passenger or school bus endorsement. A specific curriculum that includes theory instruction must be completed in order to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement.

• Theory and behind-the-wheel instruction must be completed in order to obtain a passenger or school bus endorsement.

The rule does not include a minimum number of hours that driver-trainees must spend on theory instruction. The driver-trainee must complete a theory assessment and receive a score of at least 80 percent.

There is no required minimum number of instruction hours for behind-the-wheel training for the passenger or school bus endorsement, but training providers must determine whether driver-trainees have demonstrated proficiency in all elements of the behind-the-wheel curriculum.

• Hazardous materials endorsement requires completion of a specific curriculum that includes theory instruction.

A specific curriculum that includes theory instruction must be completed in order to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement. The instructor must cover all of these topics:

• Basic introductory hazardous materials requirements
• Operational hazardous materials requirements
• Reporting hazardous materials crashes and releases
• Tunnels and railroad-highway grade crossing requirements
• Loading and unloading hazardous materials
• Hazardous materials on passenger vehicles
• Bulk packages
• Operating emergency equipment
• Emergency response procedures
• Engine (fueling)
• Tire check
• Routes and route planning
• Hazardous materials safety permits

There is no required minimum number of instruction hours for theory training, but the driver-trainee must complete a theory assessment and receive a score of at least 80 percent.

• Training Provider Registry (TPR) eligibility requirements are listed for entry-level driver training providers.

In order to provide entry-level driver training, a training provider must be listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA)Training Provider Registry (TPR). To be eligible for listing on the TPR, the training provider must:

• Follow the curriculum that meets the criteria listed in Part 380 Appendices A through E;
• Use classroom and range facilities that comply with all federal, state, and/or local statutes and regulations;
• Use vehicles in behind-the-wheel training that comply with all federal, state, and/or local statutes and regulations;
• Use theory instructors who meet the definition in 380.605;
• Use behind-the-wheel instructors who meet the definition in 380.605; and
• Be licensed, certified, registered, or authorized to provide training in accordance with applicable laws and regulations of any state where in-person training is conducted.

Facilities and equipment must comply with all applicable federal, state, and/or local statutes and regulations.

Training providers will need to complete an electronic application on FMCSA’s website in order to be listed on the TPR. FMCSA will not accept any other form of application.

• For entry-level driver training, theory instructors must fulfill certain criteria.

A theory instructor must meet one of these qualifications:

• Holds a commercial driver’s license (CDL) of the same (or higher) class and with all endorsements necessary to operate the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for which training is to be provided and has at least two years of experience driving a CMV requiring a CDL of the same (or higher) class and/or the same endorsement and meets all applicable state qualification requirements for commercial motor vehicle instructors; or
• Holds a CDL of the same (or higher) class and with all endorsements necessary to operate the CMV for which training is to be provided and has at least two years of experience as a behind-the-wheel CMV instructor and meets all applicable state qualification requirements for CMV instructors.

• Behind-the-wheel instructors must meet specific qualifications for training entry-level drivers.

A behind-the-wheel instructor is an individual who provides behind-the-wheel training involving the actual operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) by an entry-level driver on a range or a public road and meets one of these qualifications:

• Holds a commercial driver’s license (CDL) of the same (or higher) class and with all endorsements necessary to operate the CMV for which training is to be provided and has at least two years of experience driving a CMV requiring a CDL of the same or higher class and/or the same endorsement and meets all applicable state qualification requirements for CMV; or
• Holds a CDL of the same (or higher) class and with all endorsements necessary to operate the CMV for which training is to be provided and has at least two years of experience as a behind-the-wheel CMV instructor and meets all applicable state qualification requirements for CMV instructors.

• Requirements for theory and behind-the-wheel instructors include certain exceptions and prohibitions.

There are exceptions to these requirements for theory and behind-the-wheel range instructors who previously possessed a commercial driver’s license (CDL) but no longer possess a CDL. There are also prohibitions for theory and behind-the-wheel range instructors who have had their CDL canceled, suspended, or revoked per the disqualification provisions in 383.51.

• Certain TPR certification information requirements must be met by the training provider after a driver finishes training.

After an individual completes training administered by a provider listed on the Training Provider Registry (TPR), that provider must, by midnight of the second business day after the driver-trainee completes the training, electronically transmit this training certification information through the TPR website:

• Driver-trainee name, number of driver’s license/commercial learner’s permit/commercial driver’s license (CDL) license, as applicable, and the state of licensure;
• CDL class and/or endorsement and type of training (theory and/or behind-the-wheel) the driver-trainee completed;
• Total number of clock hours the driver-trainee spent to complete behind-the-wheel training, as applicable;
• Name of the training provider and the provider’s unique TPR identification number; and
• Date(s) of successful training completion.

• Specific records must be kept by all training providers listed on the TPR.

All training providers on the Training Provider Registry (TPR) must retain:

• Self-certifications by all accepted applicants for behind-the-wheel training attesting that they will comply with the regulations in Parts 40, 382, 383, and 391, as well as state and/or local laws, related to alcohol and controlled substances testing, age, medical certification, licensing, and driver records;
• A copy of the driver-trainee’s commercial learner’s permit (CLP) or commercial driver’s license (CDL), as applicable;
• Instructor qualification documentation indicating driving and/or training experience, as applicable, for each instructor and copies of CDLs and applicable endorsements held by behind-the-wheel instructors or theory instructors, as applicable;
• The lesson plans for theory and behind-the-wheel (range and public road) training curricula, as applicable; and
• Records of individual entry-level driver training assessments.
• Training providers listed on the TPR must retain the records listed above for a minimum of three years from the date each required record is generated or received, unless a record, such as a behind-the-wheel instructor’s CDL, has expired or been canceled, in which case the most recent, valid CDL should be retained.

If local, state, or federal requirements prescribe longer retention periods for any category of records described, the records should be maintained under those guidelines.

Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) for potential Class 1/A licensed drivers in Canada is established by each jurisdiction, not by federal mandate.

Not all jurisdictions have implemented MELT. In the jurisdictions in which MELT has been implemented, the requirements vary as far as hours of training and on-road instruction.