Central Virginia Times

President Joe Biden's faltering economic policy has brought about an acute trucker shortage, significantly impacting local farmers, manufacturers and consumer prices across the nation, Congressman Bob Good said, a press release reported. In response, Good introduced the Trucking Workforce Improvement Act, aiming to repeal stringent regulations on commercial driver’s license training and pave the way for job opportunities while addressing the broader economic repercussions of the administration's policies.

"The ongoing trucker shortage impedes our local farmers and manufacturers from doing business with their communities, driving prices up for consumers across the country. With rising inflation and a job shortage thanks to Bidenflation, the last thing Americans need is more regulatory overreach from bureaucrats in Washington,” Good said. "My bill will remove obstacles to entry for aspiring truck drivers, enable more opportunities for well-paid jobs and unleash the American economy."

The legislation has been forwarded to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit and is supported by 14 co-sponsors. Should it receive approval, the bill would reverse the implementation of the FMCSA’s Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule, which came into force on Feb. 7, 2022. Good has characterized the ELDT rule as "unnecessary" and "burdensome" for truckers.

ELDT requirements establish basic standards for training new drivers and applicants for Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs). These rules apply to those seeking a new Class A or Class B CDL, upgrading from Class B to Class A or getting endorsements for school buses, passenger vehicles or hazardous materials. Applicants need training from a provider on the FMCSA’s Registry, completed before the CDL skills test or, for H endorsements, the knowledge test.