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Report: Delaying CDL skills testing impacts U.S. economy by $1.5 billion

Study says more than 250,000 workers affected by delays

Posted January 15, 2019

Delays in skills testing for new commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers negatively impacts the U.S. economy by $1.5 billion annually, according to new research from the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA).

The study, “Economic Impact of Wait Times for Commercial Driver’s Licenses Skills Test,” measures the economic impact of delayed skill testing. In many states, commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders must pass a skills test to secure their commercial driver’s license (CDL) before starting work.

Testing delays are the result of a lack of testing personnel, scheduled appointments, and test centers, according to the CVTA. The study found that CLP holders serviced by state-run testing centers experience more significant testing backlogs than states with third-party testing or third-party testing that complements the state program.

Findings from the analysis include:

  • $1.1 billion in direct lost wages are attributed to testing delays;
  • Federal and local governments lost $342 million in income and sales tax revenue in 2016;
  • 258,477 potential workforce entrants impacted by testing delays; and
  • 6.4 million days of delays for new commercial drivers.

Entry-Level Driver Training Manual: Obtaining a CDL J. J. Keller's Entry-Level Driver Training Manual: Obtaining a CDL teaches students the basics of safe driving techniques and complies with FMCSA's new entry-level driver training rule.

 

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