The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued new federal criteria for commercial motor vehicle driver training. These new regulations are referred to as MAP- 21 (Moving Ahead for Progress 2021). MAP-21 requirements will apply to all drivers who must have a Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL). Vehicles that are designed to carry more than 15 passengers generally are referred to as commercial motor vehicles. Most school bus drivers require a Class B CDL to operate a school vehicle.States can require additional training, but they cannot require less than MAP-21’s minimum criteria. The new requirements are effective for all new driver training performed after February 7, 2022.
There are 3 areas of impact to school bus training:
1. Entry-level Driver Training (ELDT) The ELDT sets general training guidelines, it is intended to standardize topics at a national level to improve safe outcomes. ELDT sets the baseline for training criteria for Class A and B CDL license holders. Changes do not apply to existing drivers. Any current driver not changing their license or endorsement and who has been trained before Feb. 7, 2022, will be grandfathered in and will not have to comply with MAP-21 training requirements. The school bus endorsement training curriculum is based on several units of behind the wheel training and more. FMCSA Entry Level Driver Training Flyer Class B Entry Level Driver Training Passenger Endorsement Entry Level Driver Training School Bus Endorsement Entry Level Driver Training 2. Training Provider Registry (TPR) The TPR is an electronic compliance notification system. Each training location will be required to comply with the system and will be given a specific location training identification number. The TPR provides a record for the FMCSA that minimum training has been achieved and identifies the certifying location through the training ID number. Each driver trainer is not required to register. A training location is required to register. FMCSA Trainer Provider Registry 3. Safety Management System (SMS) The SMS is the new safety regulatory framework that will focus on organization-wide safety policies at training locations. The idea is to control risk better, detect problems earlier, and help analyze safety data more efficiently by identifying the hazards at a location. Training providers have to have a file documenting their safety management system and the actions taken to mitigate those hazards.