As of July 20, newly hired, entry-level commercial drivers licensed (CDL) drivers cannot operate a vehicle in interstate commerce without federally mandated training. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Washington, D.C., has issued the first set of federal mandatory training requirements for entry-level CDL drivers. The requirements cover four areas: driver qualification, hours of service, driver wellness and whistleblower protection. The regulations define an entry-level driver as one with less than one year of experience. Entry-level drivers already employed by the July 20 date must complete their training by Oct. 18.

To view the requirements, visit www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. Click on “browse” in the far-left column, then go to the 2004 back issues. Click on the link for Friday, May 21; scroll to the Transportation Department section; and then click on the link for the FMSCA.