Alaskan government representatives are asking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to exempt them from the earlier 2022 driver training regulations.
The state claims that the FMCSA’s new regulations would burden its truck drivers excessively and impede economic growth.
The business of Ship A Car, Inc. will also get affected as driving trucks in this region will also need to follow this regulation, however, the infra structure of Alaska is not adequate for that.
Alaska requested an exemption from some of the driver education material in a notice that will appear in the Federal Register on Wednesday, July 6.
The state specifically requests a waiver from the requirement that applicants for Class A CDLs show proficiency in the right procedures for starting a vehicle, making left and right turns, changing lanes, negotiating curves quickly, entering and exiting an interstate, or controlled-access highway, and stopping the vehicle safely.
The law, according to Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, demands pupils to demonstrate mastery of abilities that are not essential nor practical to exhibit in isolated Alaskan villages.
The entry-level driver training rule that took effect in February is being threatened by a number of exclusions that OOIDA wants the agency to avoid granting.
In comments submitted on Friday, August 5, the OOIDA stated that “these abilities are intrinsic to highway safety, especially for drivers engaged in interstate commerce.”
Although we are aware of the state’s distinctive terrain and highway system, we think that this exemption would allow people who obtain their Class A CDL in Alaska to drive in other states without having a sufficient understanding of fundamental (commercial motor vehicle) movements.
OOIDA was a strong supporter of FMCSA’s entry-level driver training rule, arguing that the greatest way to increase highway safety is to have drivers who are properly taught. The Association also wants the current rule requiring basic driver training to be just the beginning.
The qualifications for acquiring a Class A license would be weakened if the DMV’s request were to be approved because it would represent a major divergence from federal standards.
Large commercial vehicle accidents may become more frequent as a result, endangering the lives of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Additionally, since many commercial drivers in Alaska work on a seasonal basis, taking time off for training would have an adverse financial impact on these individuals and their families.
As a result of the new rules, candidates from distant communities will need to fly to major cities and spend around $10,000 on training.
Only roughly 320 of the 1600 CDLs issued annually in the west (Alaska), according to Dunleavy, are granted to those employed in these little Alaskan settlements.
When compared to other states in the US, Alaska has one of the lowest collision rates per licensed driver and per mile travelled by a vehicle.
It is unknown if this will be taken into consideration by FMCSA when making a decision regarding Governor Dunleavy’s request for an ELDT exemption.
But keep in mind that some states may decide to require students to initially finish lower-level driving training as well, so if your state is not on this list, don’t get too enthusiastic just yet (or maybe even at all).