Connell High School asked for an exemption in a notice that was published in the Federal Register on Friday, May 17. The exemption, proposed to start in September, would enable students under 18 enrolled in the school’s CDL program to acquire a learner’s permit at 17. These students would then complete 180 hours of classroom, field, and drive-time instruction before earning a CDL at 18.

Under current regulations, commercial drivers can start operating intrastate at 18, but interstate truckers must be at least 21.

The exemption request highlights that Connell High School, which serves about 600 students—70% of whom are minorities and economically disadvantaged—operates within a largely agricultural community spread across four rural towns. The school is arguing that having more CDL drivers qualified at a younger age would boost the economy overall.

“CHS believes that granting the exemption will allow students to obtain a CDL at 18 years of age and, upon graduation from CHS, immediately enter the local workforce with stable, well-paying employment,” the agency wrote. “CHS also believes that the exemption could have a positive impact on the local communities and alleviate the current commercial driver shortage.”

The program would last for two semesters.

Connell High School also pointed out that similar programs in Maine allow students as young as 16 to obtain a commercial learner’s permit.

Despite citing a “driver shortage” as a justification for the exemption, numerous organizations have challenged this claim. Additionally, a pilot program for drivers under 21 has seen limited participation.

FMCSA has opened a 30-day public comment period on the exemption request. Comments on Connell High School’s exemption request can be submitted at Regulations.gov under Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0092.

Source: Land Line

The post Should 17-Year-Olds Receive a CLP Exemption? appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“The agency grants this exemption because the islands of Lanai and Molokai do not have the highway infrastructure to support a demonstration of certain on-road safe driving skills required by the CDL skills test requirements,” FMCSA wrote.

Last year, Hawaii formally requested these exemptions, underscoring the need for a tailored approach due to the distinct characteristics of the islands’ roadways. Standard regulations mandate that CDL applicants must demonstrate specific on-road safe-driving skills, such as choosing safe gaps for changing lanes, passing vehicles, and entering traffic. However, recognizing the unique challenges presented by the highway infrastructure on Lanai and Molokai, Hawaii proposed a restricted CDL that focuses on essential skills, excluding certain on-road maneuvers.

“The state of Hawaii maintains that the islands of Lanai and Molokai do not have at least 2 miles of a straight section of urban business street and at least 2 miles of an expressway or highway section with multiple lanes going in each direction to allow the ability to legally change lanes,” FMCSA wrote.

Under the granted exemption, drivers who pass a limited skills test would receive a restricted CDL. Notably, these drivers would be excused from demonstrating on-road skills such as changing lanes, passing, and signaling appropriately when changing direction in traffic. The exemption applies exclusively to CDL applicants undergoing the skills test on the islands of Lanai and Molokai, confining the drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles solely on these two islands.

“The information provided by the state supports the state’s assertion that the islands of Lanai and Molokai lack the highway infrastructure to permit CDL applicants to demonstrate their ability to signal appropriately when changing direction in traffic, and the ability to choose a safe gap for changing lanes, passing other vehicles and crossing or entering traffic,” FMCSA wrote. “Therefore, CDL applicants who drive a CMV only on the islands of Lanai and Molokai do not need to demonstrate those skills to obtain their restricted CDL.”

The exemption period began on Tuesday, Feb. 20, and is slated to continue through Feb. 20, 2026. During this time, the FMCSA received no opposition to the proposed exemption, signifying a general acceptance of the need for a nuanced approach to CDL testing in the unique driving conditions presented by the Hawaiian Islands.

Source: Land Line

The post State of Hawaii Gets FMCSA Exemption on CDL Test appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

WestRock, operating a paper mill in Chattanooga, necessitates truck drivers to travel on a public road, Compress Street, spanning approximately 275 feet, between its manufacturing facility and shipping/receiving docks. This route, though short, is considered interstate travel due to the cargo’s destinations. The exemption is crucial for WestRock, as without it, there would be a logistical challenge of at least two hours in which trailers couldn’t be loaded or transported, impacting on-time deliveries.

Under the exemption, WestRock’s drivers would be allowed to work up to 16 consecutive hours, and the mandatory 10 hours off duty could be bypassed. The exemption is proposed to be effective from April 17 to April 16, 2029. FMCSA, in its evaluation, deems WestRock’s driving operations under the exemption conditions to maintain safety levels equivalent to or greater than those without the exemption.

This isn’t the first time WestRock has sought such an exemption; it has operated under similar waivers since May 2012, with renewals in April 2014, July 2016, and July 2019. The current waiver, granted in 2019, is set to expire on April 16.

FMCSA invites public comments on WestRock’s hours-of-service exemption request. Interested parties can provide feedback within 30 days of Jan. 19 on Regulations.gov using Docket No. FMCSA-2010-0027.

Source: Land Line

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