Among those deemed “critical employees” by the Department of Homeland Security during the current pandemic, are truck drivers.
According to the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, the trucking industry moves 71 percent of all freight across the country.
However, a recent report from the CVTA shows that 27 states have closed their State Driver Licensing Agencies, with the remaining 23 operating on a limited basis.
The CVTA fears that the inability to license more truck drivers could escalate the impact of already prevalent driver shortages, and multiply the effect of coronavirus-related supply chain issues.
According to Don Lefeve, president of the CVTA, these closures are leaving more than 25,000 trained drivers without the ability to obtain commercial learner’s permits or commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).
A CVTA-led coalition is proposing that governors enact executive orders to recognize CDL training schools as essential services, and grant the Secretary of Transportation the ability to administer licensing tests.
