AASA, NAPT Commend FMSCA for Flexibility in 3rd Party Administration of CDL Tests

Earlier today, AASA and NAPT expressed gratitude to the FMCSA for recently released guidance that grants flexibility to allow for 3^rd party administration of CDL tests. The joint statement reads:

“On behalf of the National Association for Pupil Transportation and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, I write to express our collective appreciation for FMCSA’s amended regulatory guidance that will allow third party testers to administer the commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge test for all classes and endorsements. Our organizations collectively represent the transportation and education professionals responsible for ensuring students arrive safely to school each day. We know that yellow school buses are a critical link in our education system, providing not just the safest way to and from school, but predictability to the school day for students and their families, teachers and school administrators.  Covid-19 circumstances are continuing to impact both schools and pupil transportation operations, exacerbated by a pre-existing national shortage of school bus drivers.  Accordingly, NAPT and AASA are pleased the FMCSA acted expeditiously on still another of our November 2021 requests to consider regulatory flexibility for several commercial driver license (CDL) requirements for drivers.  This latest proposal combines with other actions we believe will provide needed relief for challenging national circumstances while preserving the exemplary safety performance that defines school transportation in the U.S.”