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Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Contact: Bill MacLeod, 202-366-8810
FMCSA 4-04
FMCSA Establishes First Ever Training Requirements For Double, Triple Truck
Operators, Driver-Instructors
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) today announced the first ever minimum training
requirements for operators of double and triple trucks, also known as longer
combination vehicles (LCVs). The safety agency also established new requirements
for instructors who train LCV drivers.
The rule prohibits motor carriers from allowing drivers to operate an LCV double
trailer or LCV triple trailer until they have the training specified in today’s
rulemaking, even though they have a state-issued commercial driver’s license (CDL)
with a double/triple trailer endorsement.
“The final rule will enhance the safety of commercial vehicle operations and
help ensure that drivers of large trucks have the knowledge and skills necessary
to safely operate longer combination vehicles on our nation’s highways,” FMCSA
Administrator Annette M. Sandberg said.
LCV training will consist of driving and non-driving activities, such as route
planning and checking cargo and weight. Because LCV doubles and triples have
different operating characteristics, FMCSA established different training
courses for each vehicle group. The rule also establishes two types of LCV
driver instructors, classroom instructors and skills instructors.
To qualify for the doubles training, drivers will need to show six months’
driving experience in vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001
or more pounds. To enroll in the triples training class, drivers will need to
show six months’ truck-tractor/semi-trailer or twin-trailer experience. Motor
carriers may waive driver-training requirements for current LCV commercial motor
vehicle drivers who have safe driving records and at least two years of LCV
driving experience.
The rule is effective June 1, 2004. The final rule was in yesterday’s Federal
Register and will be on the Internet at
http://fmcsa.dot.gov. It also can be viewed in the DOT Docket Management
System, http://dms.dot.gov, by searching for
docket number FMCSA-97-2176.
An LCV is any combination of a truck-tractor and two or more trailers or
semi-trailers that has a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 80,000 pounds
and operates in interstate commerce. Twin trailers, also known as western
doubles, would not be subject to this rule. Western doubles have a gross vehicle
weight rating of 80,000 pounds or less.
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