New drivers often face red tape created by the government as they begin their trucking careers. These barriers prolong how long a new driver must wait before their job begins, while providing no public safety or consumer protection benefits. Congress can take several steps to reduce these barriers and help people start their trucking careers faster.
 

Eliminate the Automatic Restriction
 

Congress should pass legislation requiring FMCSA to eliminate the automatic restriction that applies to commercial drivers who take their CDL skills test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission.

This restriction, created in 2011, no longer reflects the composition of the modern trucking fleet:

• Manual transmissions now represent less than 15% of the market and continue to decline.

• Prospective drivers often seek unnecessary manual-transmission training to avoid a restriction that provides no real employment advantage.

• This perception forces training providers to maintain older, more expensive manual-transmission vehicles in their fleets.

CVTA supports legislation directing FMCSA to eliminate the automatic restriction and allow for an optional manual endorsement as a modern, practical alternative.

Increase Adoption of Third-Party Testing

Expanding third-party CDL testing is a proven way to reduce government-created delays and help new drivers enter the workforce faster. Congress should establish national standards for CDL testing backlogs and provide states with tools and incentives to reduce wait times.

CVTA supports congressional action to:

• Encourage states to expand third-party testing, including through conditional CDL Program Implementation (CDLPI) grant funding.

• Create incentives and audit support for states that utilize approved third-party examiners, including proprietary training providers.

• Reduce CDLPI funding for states that maintain persistent testing backlogs without corrective action.

Streamline CDL Testing Processes

On February 2, 2024, FMCSA issued a proposed rulemaking to modernize CDL testing and reduce administrative barriers. The proposal would:

• Allow CDL applicants to take the skills test in any state, regardless of where they received training or reside.

• Permit CLP-holders who have passed the skills test to operate with a CDL holder seated anywhere in the cab.

• Authorize third-party examiners to administer the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) knowledge exam.

If these improvements are not finalized, Congress should pass the LICENSE Act of 2023 to codify these changes into law.

CVTA Position

The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) supports congressional action to reduce unnecessary government barriers that delay qualified drivers from entering the workforce. Outdated restrictions, testing backlogs, and inconsistent state procedures slow down employment opportunities without improving public safety or consumer protection.
 

CVTA urges Congress to:

• Direct FMCSA to eliminate the outdated automatic restriction and modernize licensing standards to reflect the current equipment used in the trucking industry.

• Expand and incentivize third-party CDL testing to reduce state backlogs and accelerate access to testing for new drivers.

• Enact the LICENSE Act of 2023 to streamline CDL testing across state lines and allow third-party administration of the knowledge exam.
   

These reforms would modernize the CDL process, reduce delays, and help qualified drivers begin their careers sooner—while maintaining the safety and integrity of the licensing system.