Wilson Logistics (No. 109 on the CCJ Top 250) is petitioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to allow its commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders who have passed the CDL skills test to drive a truck without a CDL holder in the front seat, effectively allowing them to drive in team operations.
Current regulations require that CLP holders be accompanied by a CDL holder in the front seat at all times. Wilson’s request would still require a CDL holder in the truck at all times, but not necessarily in the front seat. Wilson says the exemption would allow the CLP holder “to participate in a revenue-generating trip back to his or her state of domicile to obtain the CDL.”
The company estimates that 400-500 CLP holders would operate under the exemption each year.
Wilson also notes that if these drivers received their training and passed the CDL skills test in their home state, they would have received their CDL and have been allowed to drive a truck without a CDL holder in the front seat.
FMCSA is asking for public comments on the request, which can be made at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. FMCSA-2019-0174 when the notice is published Wednesday, Nov. 6. The agency has previously granted similar exemptions to C.R. England, CRST and New Prime.
