16 Jul 2025

🚌CDL Exemption for Public Transit Drivers Announced by FMCSA

Commercial Driver's License: Application for Exemption; American Public Transportation Association

Summary

FMCSA announces its decision to grant, in part, and deny in part, the application from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), on behalf of public transit agencies and their contractor partners. FMCSA grants the application request to allow State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) the option to waive the "under-the-hood" portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection skills test requirement for commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants seeking to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in public transportation. Drivers issued CDLs pursuant to the requested exemption are restricted to intrastate operation of transit buses only. FMCSA denies APTA's application request to allow drivers issued a CDL under this exemption to operate in interstate commerce.

Agencies

  • Transportation Department
  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Business Impact ?

$$ - Med

The exemption allows States to waive part of the pre-trip inspection test for CDL applicants operating public transit buses, potentially alleviating driver shortages in public transportation, which impacts labor market trends and compliance requirements for businesses in this sector.

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