What are Florida’s Trucker Training Requirements?

A fully loaded tractor trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Given how large commercial trucks are, a truck driver must be properly trained. An untrained or undertrained truck driver has the potential to be extremely dangerous. Our state has comprehensive truck driver training regulations. At Pike & Lustig, LLP, we are strong advocates for trucking safety. Truck drivers should always be properly licensed and well-trained. Here, our West Palm Beach truck accident attorney provides an overview of the training requirements for truckers in Florida.

New Truck Drivers in Florida Generally Must Complete Entry-Level Driver Training

Florida truck drivers are subject to the federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The rules apply to drivers obtaining a Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) for the first time, upgrading from a Class B CDL to a Class A CDL, or obtaining certain endorsements for the first time.

Note: Before taking the applicable CDL skills test, an entry-level driver must complete required training through a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Florida will verify completion of ELDT before administering the required test.

Training Includes Both Theory and Behind-the-Wheel Instruction

To be clear, ELDT for truckers is not simply a classroom course. For a Class A or Class B CDL, the federal curriculum includes both theory instruction and behind-the-wheel training. Theory topics address subjects such as safe vehicle operation, vehicle systems, hours-of-service requirements, distracted driving, accident procedures, railroad crossings, and other safety obligations. A trainee must earn an overall score of at least 80 percent on the theory assessment.

Commercial Truckers Must Obtain the Proper Florida CDL

Training alone does not authorize a person to operate a tractor trailer. Florida Statutes § 322.53 generally requires anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle in Florida to possess the appropriate commercial driver’s license, subject to limited statutory exemptions. A prospective CDL holder ordinarily obtains a commercial learner’s permit (CLP), completes any applicable ELDT requirements, and then passes the required skills examination.

Under Florida law, a nonresident may operate a commercial motor vehicle in the state with a valid CDL issued by another jurisdiction, provided that the license and required endorsements were issued in substantial compliance with the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986.

Trucking Companies Have Their Own Responsibility to Use Qualified Drivers

A valid CDL does not necessarily end the inquiry into whether a truck driver was adequately qualified for a particular job. Motor carriers subject to federal safety regulations must ensure that their drivers meet applicable qualification requirements and are properly licensed for the vehicles they operate. A carrier that places an inexperienced or inadequately trained driver behind the wheel may potentially be held legally liable for serious injuries caused in a serious crash.

We Fight for Justice for Truck Accident Victims in South Florida

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach truck accident attorneys fight tirelessly for justice for injured victims. If you or your family member was hurt in a wreck with a tractor trailer, we can help. Call us now or connect with us online for a free case review. Our firm fights for the rights of truck accident victims throughout South Florida.