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CDL rules that are new for the road are coming at a difficult time for people looking to get their first commercial driver’s license. This is true for the industry in Texas and across the nation.

CDL Tests

Moreover, this week, long-delaying federal regulations have kicked in. Then, it would require would-be drivers plus those looking to upgrade their licenses to complete minimum federal training requirements. Thus it would permit them to take specific CDL tests.

On Monday, the rules that are known as Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), took effect.

Moreover, they do take effect for anyone that is applying for a Class A or Class 8 CDL for the first time. It would be to upgrade an existing CDL to a Class A or B. Plus to obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.

The director of Austin’s Changing Lanes CDL School, Delbert Crawford, does welcome the changes.

“In fact, it will make the roads safer,” he said. “A long time ago, they should come out with this rule instead of delaying it.”

Rollout of ELDT

Moreover, the rollout of ELDT for two years has to be holding off according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. It would be so the government working to set up the technical infrastructure thus to keep track of student certifications. Plus, to have schools be clearing to provide the training.

Director of Strategic Partnerships for Southern Careers Institute in Austin, Roy Hawkins, said the requirements could “help the industry in the future.”

Standardized Curriculum, Outcomes

“Across the United States, there are standardizing curriculum and outcomes for people who are entry-level drivers that is a very good thing,” Hawkins said.

Depending on the school, the training does come with a cost. It would be several thousand dollars.

“For a lot of people, that’s not a small sum of money, said Ken Snipes. He is the director of Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), the city’s waste management utility.