🚨 Should CLP Holders Drive Solo? One Trucking Company Thinks So

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

*The FMCSA's getting a bold request—and it could change how new truckers hit the road.*

👀 Introduction – "Let the Learners Loose?"

A major trucking company just sent a bold ask to the **Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)** — and it’s raising eyebrows across the industry.


They want the government to let CLP (Commercial Learner’s Permit) holders operate trucks without a CDL holder in the passenger seat. That’s right… trainees rolling solo.

If approved, this would flip traditional training on its head — and the trucking world’s got thoughts.

Let’s break it down in true Report Better News style — plain talk, deep dive, no fluff.

📜 The Request – What They’re Asking For

Here’s the basic play:

A trucking company (unnamed for now) filed for an exemption with FMCSA.

They want drivers with a CLP — meaning they haven’t passed the CDL test yet — to be able to drive commercial vehicles without a licensed CDL trainer in the passenger seat.

They argue that these trainees:

Have already completed ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training)

Are operating under direct dispatch supervision

Are just as safe as new CDL holders behind the wheel

In their view?
The trainer doesn’t need to be physically present, as long as they're reachable.

🧠 What’s the Logic Behind It?

Here’s why the company says this change would help:

🚛 Increase capacity fast – With fewer CDL trainers available, this opens up more trucks to move freight.
💰 Reduce cost per driver – Trainers often slow the flow, especially with sleeper teams. Letting learners run solo = faster revenue.
📈 Get more new drivers on the road – They argue this will attract more people to trucking if the process is more flexible.

And hey, some of that makes sense. But there’s a big ol’ pile of “what ifs” behind it, too.

⛔ Real Talk: What Could Go Wrong?

We’re not here to scare you — but let’s not pretend this is risk-free. Here's the flip side:

😬 Less supervision = more mistakes – Driving a rig ain’t like learning to make lattes. One missed turn can cost lives.
⚖️ Legal gray zones – If a CLP driver crashes and nobody’s in the passenger seat, who’s liable? What does insurance say?
📉 Undercutting skill development – Time with a CDL trainer is where a lot of those “oh snap” lessons get taught. You can’t YouTube your way out of a jackknife in real-time.

A lot of veteran drivers are already side-eyeing this move like,

“So we’re just letting anybody loose now?”

💬 The Industry’s Mixed Reaction

🟩 Supporters Say: - It’s efficient - It builds trust in trainees - Other countries already have looser training rules

🟥 Critics Fire Back:

It’s a race to the bottom

It sets up new drivers for failure or burnout

It’ll flood the industry with undertrained drivers in an already chaotic freight market

One seasoned trainer put it this way:

“We’re not just teaching driving. We’re teaching decision-making. You can’t rush that from a dispatch desk.”

🔄 FMCSA’s Track Record With Exemptions

This isn’t the first exemption request FMCSA’s seen. In the past:

Some team-based sleeper berth waivers were granted

Certain mirror and camera exemptions have been approved

But training-related requests usually get more scrutiny

FMCSA will likely open the request up for public comment — which means drivers like YOU can weigh in before they decide.

🚨 Bottom Line – Progress or Problem?

Let’s be real — the industry needs **more drivers**, better training, and smarter solutions.

But this move? It feels like solving a driver shortage by skipping safety.

Trucking ain’t just point A to B. It’s split-second decisions, confidence under pressure, and the kind of experience you can’t get off an app.

If you’re thinking about getting into trucking, or if you're already a CLP holder, you need to understand the stakes — and the shortcut culture that might leave you stranded.

💡 Pro Tip for New Drivers: Bet on Skills, Not Shortcuts

This industry rewards those who invest in learning the *right way*. Don’t let some company’s push for profit put your future at risk.

Start with the right resources. Get trained well. Learn more than just “how to pass the test.”

👉 For smart advice on getting into trucking the right way, visit LifeAsATrucker.com

👉 Want to build income on the side while you're still learning or driving?
Level up your financial freedom at OffDutyMoney.com

Because trucking might be your start, but it shouldn’t be your only plan.

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