Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022:
Two pieces of legislation were introduced in the Congress this week that would streamline the credentialing process for truck drivers.
One bill, the Transportation Security Administration Security Threat Assessment Application Modernization Act, was introduced by Reps. Adam Smith (D-Washington) and John Katko (R-New York). If passed, it would allow truck drivers to use one valid background check from a TSA Security Threat Assessment to satisfy the requirements for participation in any TSA program, including the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), Hazardous Materials Endorsement and PreCheck programs.
The second bill, the Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently Act, or LICENSE Act, would make permanent two waivers issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration seven times over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the provisions of the bill, third-party CDL skills test examiners would be permitted to administer a state's CDL knowledge test, in addition to the skills test. This issue was solved this week with updated guidance from FMCSA that said the agency's current regulations do not prohibit third-party testers from administering the CDL knowledge tests for all classes and endorsements.
It would also allow states to administer the driving skills test to out-of-state CDL applicants regardless of where they received their training. Finally, the legislation would allow commercial learners permit holders who have already passed the required CDL skills test, but who have not yet received their physical credentials, to drive with a CDL holder anywhere in the truck, rather than requiring them to sit in the front seat next to the qualified CLP holder.
The LICENSE Act was introduced in the House by Reps. Darin LaHood (R-Illinois), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), Josh Harder (D-California) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), and in the Senate by Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona).
