The Arkansas Trucking Association and Arkansas State Police are working together to help ease a backlog of would-be commercial driver’s license holders waiting to complete their skills tests.
As with non-commercial driver’s license testing, professional truck drivers must pass both a written and a skills test to obtain their CDL. Staffing issues and a limited number of test sites have sidelined CDL candidates who have been forced to wait weeks to complete the skills test.
“Our industry desperately needs more safe and qualified drivers to be able to stock grocery shelves and deliver all of life’s essentials,” said Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton. “With ongoing supply chain and workforce issues, delaying the certification of fully-trained drivers impacts everyone — not just trucking.”
After being notified of drivers facing weeks-long delays between completing their CDL training and being able to take the CDL skills test, Newton approached the Arkansas State Police to find a solution. Together, the ASP and ATA came up with a multi-pronged approach to streamline the backlog, including:
Saline County Fairgrounds will provide temporary overflow testing beginning May 31, running for 45 days
CDL examiners have been approved for overtime through the end of June
CDL examiners have been directed to remain dedicated to CDL testing candidates
ASP is aggressively attempting to fill examiner vacancies with qualified testing personnel
ASP will consider expanding third-party testing options
“We commend the Arkansas State Police for implementing swift and decisive resolutions to address the backlog of CDL skills tests,” Newton said. “Our economy needs people to go to work and these drivers are ready and willing to do so, with the support of the Arkansas CDL examiners.”
Original article provided by: https://www.ccjdigital.com/workforce/article/15292523/state-trucking-group-teams-with-state-police-to-reduce-cdl-testing-backlog
