Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) - Update on Federal Compliance

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The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) bill approved by congress in 2012 laid out a structure to better prepare commercial drivers for safety and success on the road, in part through Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT).  ELDT was originally scheduled for implementation in 2020, but delayed to allow for adequate preparation of electronic systems, with a new implementation date of February 7, 2022.  Under this system, new applicants for a commercial driver license will be required to participate in mandatory minimum instruction for both theory (classroom) and road/range (behind the wheel) concepts.

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) wishes to support the work of school transportation operations.  Because the new requirements of the ELDT mandate are federal, Oregon will not act as an intermediary; all operations offering training for new commercial drivers will register as Training Providers in the federal system and certify compliant training that will allow State Driver Licensing Agencies to issue a commercial driver license.  ODE is in process of revising our current Behind The Wheel training program to reflect the additional range/road requirements of ELDT, and will offer recertification opportunities to currently certified Behind The Wheel Instructors.

ODE’s current Core curriculum is designed to address a thorough education in state-specific regulations and practices.  While it is robust, its contents are insufficient to alone satisfy the theory instruction requirements of ELDT.  Additionally, ODE’s Core class is designed to be offered in a group learning setting, while the typical hiring process involves preparing one individual at a time.  For this reason, ODE encourages operations that will register as ELDT Training Providers to evaluate what resources will allow them to best meet the new federal requirements.  A Training Provider may assemble and document their own approach to the required theory instruction, or draw on professionally produced training programs available online or as a video series from several third party vendors.  Core classes will remain a requirement for a school bus driver’s certificate through ODE according to administrative rule.

Please refer to the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry website to stay informed as registration opens and the compliance date approaches.  Operations planning to register as Training Providers should be familiar with the regulations in 49 CFR Part 380 Subpart F to ensure that their training plans are adequate for their intended purposes.

While this adds a new layer of complexity to the recruitment process, we anticipate that Oregon’s school bus operations will have the capacity to meet new requirements with sufficient advance planning.  Please contact Brock Dittus with any questions.