FROM THE EDITOR
FMCSA proposal eases the path for military drivers The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is suggesting regulatory changes to ease the path for transitioning military personnel and veterans in need of work, which could benefit bus and coach operators in search of drivers. The Program to Assist Veterans to Acquire Commercial Driver’s Licenses Report to Congress makes the case for military truck and bus drivers to more easily obtain civilian commercial driver‘s licenses. FMCSA plans to implement the changes as soon as possible. “Our military men and women make tremendous sacrifices and helping veterans transition to the civilian workforce when they come home is just one way to show our gratitude,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This report outlines opportunities to help even more qualify for jobs based on the skills and training they receive in the armed forces.” The proposed changes include: • Extending the time from 90 days to one year in which active duty and recently separated veterans with two years of safe driving experience with similar vehicles can take advantage of a military skills test waiver. • Updating federal regulations to allow over 60,000 service members trained and employed in the operation of heavy vehicles to qualify immediately for a CDL while still on active duty. • Allowing service members stationed in one state but licensed in another to obtain a CDL before leaving the military. Directed by MAP-21, the study analyzed training, testing and licensing similarities and differences between military and civilian commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements. In August, FMCSA announced almost $1 million in grants to six colleges to help increase enrollment in commercial motor vehicle training programs, making it easier for veterans and their spouses to obtain CDLs and find transportation jobs. FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro sees the demand for commercial vehicle drivers growing over 17 percent by the year 2020. “The men and women who serve in uniform commit their lives to protecting our country — in many cases by operating heavy-duty vehicles,” she says. “There are no better credentials for continuing as a safe truck or bus driver.”
David Hubbard Editor BUSRide Magazine
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BUSRIDE | DECEMBER . 2013
Publisher / Editor in Chief Steve Kane steve@busride.com Associate Publisher Sali T. Williams swilliams@busride.com Editor David Hubbard david@busride.com Managing Editor Richard Tackett rtackett@busride.com Art Director Stephen Gamble sgamble@theproducersinc.com Production Coordinator Kevin Dixon kdixon@busride.com Accountant Fred Valdez fvaldez@powertrademedia.com Contributing Writers Doug Jack, Matthew A. Daecher, Christopher Ferrone
BUS industry SAFETY council
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