FMCSA grants another commercial learner’s permit exemption

An exemption that has largely been opposed by truck safety groups and individual truckers was again approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

On Tuesday, Sept. 1, FMCSA renewed Landair Transport’s request for an exemption from the regulation requiring that a CDL holder be seated in the front seat while a commercial learner’s permit holder drives on public roads.

Currently, seven motor carriers (Landair, Wilson Logistics, Werner Enterprises, CR England, New PRIME, CRST and Steven’s Transport) are allowed to operate under the exemption.

Landair, which is also known as Covenant Logistics, previously received a two-year exemption in July 2024. Earlier this year, FMCSA posted a request from Landair, asking that the exemption be extended for five years.

FMCSA received 10 comments on Landair’s exemption request, with eight opposed, one in support and one neutral.

Opponents contend that large carriers are using the exemption so that they can run teams with the commercial learner’s permit holder. Supporters say that the exemption applies only to permit holders who have passed the CDL skills test but have not obtained the license from their state of domicile.

“All carriers should be willing and prepared to meet the cost that minimal safety compliance requires,” the Truck Safety Coalition wrote. “TSC calls on FMCSA to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to safety and to deny this inadequately justified exemption application for renewal.”

Starla Dubose said that truck driving schools teach only basic skills required to perform the job.

“While the U.S. government classifies this profession as unskilled, reality is that it is anything but that,” Dubose wrote. “While the majority of those skills are learned by practical application, driving in a large city to make deliveries is a reckless way to hone a driver’s skills, especially without a trainer to assist them.”

The Truckload Carriers Association supported the exemption.

“The drivers covered under this exemption have already successfully completed all required knowledge and skills tests and are otherwise fully qualified to hold a CDL,” TCA wrote. “Granting this limited exemption solely to allow the CLP holder to return to their state of domicile to obtain the physical CDL document would preserve safety while reducing unnecessary logistical limitations on motor carriers and drivers alike.”

FMCSA said it is unaware of any evidence of a degradation of safety attributable to the exemption. LL