Agency releases statement exempting 'engine compartment' evaluation from Commercial Driver's License practical test requirement
In a move aimed at addressing the ongoing driver shortage in the public transit sector, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has approved an exemption for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) applicants seeking to operate transit buses in intrastate commerce. The decision, published on July 16, 2025, waives the requirement for CDL applicants to perform the "under-the-hood" portion of the skills test.
According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), this portion of the test, which involves identifying safety-related parts on a test vehicle and explaining what needs to be checked during a pre-trip vehicle inspection, has been a significant barrier to hiring bus operators. APTA made the exemption request on behalf of transit agencies and their contractors.
The exemption is valid for a period of two years and applies to CDL applicants seeking to operate transit buses in intrastate commerce. Mechanics or other qualified personnel are readily available to provide roadside assistance in the event of a vehicle malfunction in higher population density areas where transit buses typically operate.
Transit buses, like school buses, travel for relatively short distances and are operated in higher population density areas. The school bus industry already benefits from relaxed CDL testing requirements.
APTA's President and CEO, Paul Skoutelas, stated that the exemption directly addresses one of the biggest barriers to hiring new operators during a nationwide workforce shortage. LIT Executive Director Christina Villarreal stated that the critical shift will open doors for more qualified drivers.
The FMCSA reviewed 29 comments regarding the exemption request, with 25 of them being in support. However, the FMCSA did not approve APTA's request to extend the exemption to interstate commerce. The exemption provides a runway for state authorities to update their training and credentialing programs.
Transit agencies, industry associations, and nonprofit organizations, such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Community Transportation Association of America, and LIT, submitted comments in support of the exemption. The majority of comments received by FMCSA were in support of the exemption request.
The FMCSA agrees with APTA's comparison between public transit operators and school bus drivers. This decision is expected to give public transit agencies the flexibility to meet pressing workforce demands. The exemption is a significant step towards addressing the national driver shortage in the public transit sector.
[1] American Public Transportation Association (APTA) - https://www.apta.com/ Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) - https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ LIT - https://lit-us.org/
The APTA's decision to request an exemption from the CDL skills test for transit bus operators was based on the identification of the test as a significant barrier to hiring new drivers. Following the FMCSA's approval of this exemption, public transit agencies can now focus on providing training and credentialing programs to address the ongoing driver shortage, akin to the school bus industry's relaxed CDL testing requirements.
