Werner claims ‘driver shortage’ in exemption request for trainees

Citing a “historic driver shortage,” Werner Enterprises wants an exemption from a regulation that requires a commercial learner’s permit holder to be accompanied by a CDL holder in the passenger seat.

Werner’s exemption request to the FMCSA published Aug. 18 in the Federal Register. If granted, the exemption would apply only to permit holders who have already passed the CDL skills test but have not yet obtained the CDL document from their home state. The CDL holder would have to remain in the vehicle but would not be required to sit in the front seat.

“Werner contends that an exemption from this regulation will benefit Werner and the trucking industry in three ways – improving efficiency of freight operations by maximizing driver employment during a historic driving shortage, creating immediate employment and compensation opportunities to qualified drivers, and improving the overall safety of the new driver experience,” the FMCSA notice stated.

OOIDA has refuted claims of a driver shortage for years.

“Werner’s exemption request is another example of a large carrier using the false premise of a driver shortage to try to take advantage of safety regulations,” said Jay Grimes, OOIDA’s director of federal affairs. “The regulations requiring an experienced driver in the front seat with the permit holder were implemented with safety in mind. As we move closer to the entry-level driver training rule taking effect next year, the FMCSA should be finding ways to further bolster training requirements, not weaken them. Granting this exemption would do just that.”

The FMCSA has granted similar exemptions to other companies, including Wilson Logistics, CRST and CR England. When it granted Wilson Logistics’ exemption request earlier this year, FMCSA said it expected an equivalent level of safety to be achieved.

“Because these drivers have already met all the requirements for a CDL but have yet to pick up the CDL document from their state of domicile, their safety performance is expected to be the same as any other newly credentialed CDL holder,” FMCSA wrote.  LL