The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received a request from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to exempt certain commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants from the "under-the-hood" portion of the pre-trip inspection test. This exemption is aimed at CDL applicants who will be operating vehicles in public transportation. APTA argues that this test is not relevant to the responsibilities of transit bus operators, poses equity issues, and is of diminishing importance as the industry shifts towards zero-emission vehicles. The agency is seeking public comments on this request, with the goal of addressing the ongoing shortage of bus drivers in the public transit sector.
Simple Explanation
The FMCSA is thinking about letting some bus drivers skip a special engine check test because it's not really needed for their job, especially with new electric buses. They are asking people what they think to help decide if this is a good idea.