2017 Report on Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Skills Testing Delays

Michel, Nicole · 2020 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Office of Analysis, Research, and Technology

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Summary

This report, mandated by Section 5506 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), addresses the issue of delays in scheduling Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skills tests across U.S. states. The research was motivated by a 2015 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that identified significant variances in testing wait times, with some applicants facing delays of up to seven weeks. These delays pose serious risks, including the expiration of commercial learner’s permits, financial hardship for applicants, and the loss of potential drivers who seek alternative employment. The study aims to establish a baseline for CDL skills testing programs by analyzing wait times, available resources, and mitigation strategies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a national survey of all 50 states and the District of Columbia between September and November 2017. The survey gathered data on average wait times for initial tests and re-tests during the 2016 calendar year, distinguishing between mandatory waiting periods and actual scheduling delays. It also collected information on testing resources, including the number of qualified examiners and testing sites, as well as failure and cancellation rates. The survey was optional, resulting in a 90% response rate, though the level of detail varied significantly among respondents. States were categorized based on their testing resources: those using only state resources, those using only third-party resources, and those utilizing both. The findings indicate that most states maintain reasonable scheduling delays for initial CDL skills tests. However, significant disparities exist, with a few states reporting unusually long delays. While only one state had an average net scheduling delay exceeding seven days for initial tests without mitigation, six states reported similar delays for re-tests. The data revealed that re-tests generally have greater net delays than initial tests, although total wait times are similar; this suggests that mandatory waiting periods are shorter for re-tests, making the scheduling lag more impactful for applicants. The report also highlighted large numbers of test failures and cancellations across states, noting that reducing these rates could alleviate scheduling pressure by decreasing demand for re-tests and preventing wasted appointment slots. The significance of this report lies in its establishment of a baseline for annual monitoring of CDL skills testing efficiency. It highlights that while there is no federal regulation mandating specific scheduling timeframes, states must monitor and control delays to prevent negative economic and workforce impacts. The study underscores the role of resource availability, with several states citing a need for additional funding or examiners to reduce wait times. Furthermore, the report identifies fraud concerns as a primary reason some states avoid third-party testing, despite the potential for increased capacity. Future iterations of this report will track changes in delays and resources, aiming to improve data consistency and support states in optimizing their CDL licensing processes.

Key finding

Most states have reasonable delays in scheduling CDL skills tests, but re-tests exhibit greater net delays than initial tests, and high failure and cancellation rates contribute to scheduling bottlenecks.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 51

Provenance

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• licensing policy