WWW.CVTA .ORG | QUARTERLY PUBLICATION | SPRING 2018
GET-IN-GEAR The Official Publication of CVTA
MEMBER NEWS FLASH!
From the President’s Desk
Heavy Metal Truck Training’s Gary Pressley and CVTA Board Member (L) presented at a Dakota & Carver Workforce Development Board (WDB) meeting in mid-March. Gary is joined by WDB Chairwoman Corinne Shepherd and a representative with Total Logistics, Inc.
Don Lefeve Talks the Future of ELDT Compliance In March, I had the pleasure of speaking at the NAPFTDS’ 28th Annual Conference where I provided a legislative and regulatory update for its members. A lot of issues were covered such as Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, automated vehicles, 18-year-old drivers, and CDL skills testing delays, as well as legislation that might come up this year: infrastructure and the Higher Education Act Reauthorization.
Following the presentation, NAPFTDS President Martin Garsee and I led a discussion where attendees were asked about potential problems they are facing in their state. As our members have voiced concerns on skills testing delays , the NAPFTDS members in attendance shared similar thoughts. Other problems discussed were a lack of WIOA funding and state DMV officials lack of awareness or knowledge about federal regulations. (See PRESIDENT, pg. 3)
JTL Truck Driver Training Examiner Brian Ebke from the schools’ Omaha location participating in Nebraska’s ERTS pilot program. The ERTS system will provide electronic scoring of the CDL skills test.
FTC’s Cyber Defense Education Campaign Aimed at Small Businesses Recently, the FTC announced that in 2018 the agency will launch a campaign to provide cybersecurity-focused informational materials with the aim of assisting small businesses address the challenges they face when securing their networks. According to the FTC’s announcement potential topics include: phishing, ransomware, cloud security and email authentication. For more info, visit www.ftc.gov and the agency’s Stick with Security blog series.
© 2018 COMMERCIAL VEHICLE TRAINING ASSOCIATION (CVTA). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
However, it is not unprecedented for a first-term President and Congress to pass major legislation with so little time prior to the midterm elections. With tax reform out of the way, the next congressional priority is an infrastructure package. Infrastructure has generally been a bipartisan issue because the economic benefits of infrastructure investment cannot be repudiated: it fosters a safer, efficient, and modernized transportation system that creates jobs and makes the economy move better. Republicans pushing an infrastructure package in Congress would take credit for passing a major infrastructure bill while forcing Democrats to either support them or explain to voters why they voted against jobs, better roads and safer bridges. If there is an infrastructure package, CVTA will attempt to use such legislation as a vehicle to move our priorities on CDL skills test delays and 18- to 21-year-old drivers.
ANALYSIS Midterm Elections & Political Climate Could Slow Legislative Calendar After Passage of FY18 Spending Bill In March, legislation that will fund the federal government through the end of FY2018 was signed into law by President Trump. This deal was possible because Congress agreed to raise the self-imposed budget caps for 2 years (FY 2018 and FY 2019). While Congress still needs to vote on a FY 2019 Appropriations bill to fund the government after September 30th, it is difficult to imagine any further major legislative accomplishments for the remainder of this Congress.
Legislative efforts such as the Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization, Immigration, or other reforms simply lack the political will to pass. Congress is shifting their attention to the FY2019 appropriations bills, which Congress generally has wrapped up by mid-to-latesummer. After August, Congress will be up against the clock to pass a FY2019 budget, and if previous years are any indicator, they will likely agree to fund the government at least through Election Day.
With 40 House Republicans retiring and Senate Republicans unable to afford losing more than two seats, the balance of power on Capitol Hill could easily tip in the Democrats’ favor. The decision of retiring House Speaker Paul Ryan to retain the Speaker’s gavel for the remainder of his term will result in an unusually long race within his caucus to succeed him, further exasperating an already delicate situation for House Republicans. There is less than 60 congressional working days left before November 6, so if Republican lawmakers want bragging rights on passing an infrastructure package they need to act now.
CVTA STAFF Don Lefeve, President & CEO Cindy Atwood, Vice President Kristine Gager, Director of Communications Mark Valentini, Director of Government Affairs 2 | Newsletter
From the President’s Desk (continued from pg. 1) In many ways, this discussion illuminates our industry’s challenges. Specifically, the discussion pinpoints our need to educate our state officials on what we do and how things will change in 18 months when the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Final Rule goes into effect. February 7, 2020 is the date when all states are required to be compliant with ELDT, assuming the FMCSA doesn’t issue a subsequent delay. We’re not waiting until 2020 to get our members compliant. We’re getting to work now. In January, CVTA’s Board voted to begin our own ELDT compliance as of July 1, 2018. Currently, the Board is debating the scope and breadth of our association’s compliance system and how the requirements can be phased in. The ELDT Final Rule will change the way schools must document their training. While I do not envision major changes to our members’ programs, there will certainly need to be tweaks. For example, members will have to ensure their curriculum they use meets all the requirements as set forth by the FMCSA. Additionally, members will have to count an individual’s behind-the-wheel (BTW) hours and disclose them to the FMCSA when the school certifies that individual driver trainee. While there are no minimum hours required by the FMCSA, the mere disclosure and certification of drivers means that a schools’ paperwork will have to show the student’s progression from a complete novice to a student who is safe and “proficient” in operating a commercial motor vehicle. Moreover, schools and all training providers will have to account for the student’s BTW time, not simply base it on a ratio of students to instructor. How is CVTA helping members? We are planning on offering members templates, products, and services as part their membership. As part of our compliance with ELDT, we want to begin early so members are well prepared when the regulation goes into effect in 2020. Ensuring a smooth transition into a post-ELDT world is very important for all stakeholders. As discussed earlier, there is a need for CVTA to help drive awareness of compliance with ELDT because educating today means solving problems before they materialize once ELDT goes into effect. We are committed to students, which means we want to eliminate or reduce any barriers that could impact their ability to secure a CDL once properly trained. If states are unaware of this regulation or do not have process and procedures ironed out in advance, students could face senseless 4 | Newsletter
Don giving a legislative and regulatory update during NAPFTDS’ Annual Conference
wait times or other hardships resulting from non-compliance, or delayed process implementation. Moving forward, CVTA will be working to educate all stakeholders about ELDT and how states may need to change some process or procedures. ELDT requires schools (and all training providers) to certify students before students can sit for their CDL skills exam. In many states, this change will not affect students. In other states, however, schools may need to work with their state to ensure there are no testing hiccups caused by this change in process. Any school that currently schedules a CDL exam more than 7 days in advance for a student may have to wait until that student is certified before scheduling. Working with state and federal officials to educate and work through these details will require collaboration and partnerships. As CVTA begins its ELDT implementation, our schools will not only understand the rule through implementation, but will be able to help their states understand the changes as well.
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“Ban the Box” Statutes Gain Traction On February 1, the Kansas City (MO) City Council passed an ordinance that would prohibit employers from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal history on job applications. Only when an applicant is determined to be qualified for a position, interviewed, and is part of a final pool of candidates for a job position can employers consider an applicant’s criminal history. The statute does not require employers to hire criminals but is intended to allow individuals with prior criminal histories a chance to present their qualifications before a hiring decision is made. Ten states—California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont—have also mandated the removal of conviction history questions from job applications for private employers, a change that advocates embrace as the next step in the evolution of these policies.
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Congress Approves Spending Bill with a $444 Million Increase in WIOA; Gets President’s Signature On March 23rd, President Trump signed into law a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill that will keep all government agencies funded through the remainder of FY2018. As part of the bill, Congress approved $3.486 billion for Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants, a $444 million increase over their original FY2018 request. Congress also approved $145 million for apprenticeships, a $56 million increase over the President’s request. Not only has Congress approved a substantial increase in WIOA grants, the approved amounts are nearly $150 million above FY2017 levels. This is a significant victory for CVTA members as this makes more resources available for job seekers looking to fund training for in-demand job skills such as truck driving. CVTA members went to Capitol Hill in February during our annual Hill Day to advocate vociferously on the importance of WIOA funding, and Congress listened.
Program
FY17 Total
House Approps FY18 Request
FY18 Omnibus Bill
WIOA (all programs)
$3,338,699,000
$3,042,720,000
$3,486,200,000
Adult Employment & Training Activities
$815,556,000
$776,736,000
$845,556,000
$873,416,000
$831,842,000
$903,416,000
$1,020,860,000
$1,145,530,000
$1,040,860,000
N/A
$145,000,000
Youth Activities (16-24) Dislocated Worker Employment & Training Activities
Apprenticeships $89,000,000
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GETTING TO KNOW LARRY MARSH We spoke with the Board’s Vice Chairman, JTL Truck Driver Training’s Larry Marsh to learn more about him and how he will approach his new role Q: What are you most looking forward to as CVTA’s Vice Chairman of the Board? My primary motive is offering my time to help continue CVTA’s success. My secondary motive is keeping myself up to date, involved, and helping others succeed.
Spare time activities include spending time his grandkids, woodworking, and skiing.
Q: What are you hoping to achieve as Vice Chairman? Knowing our members needs and wants going forward are the key to CVTA’s success. Over the years CVTA has been the standard bearer for Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT), CDL skills testing delays, and many other issues. The association’s future depends on our ability to identify new and existing issues in which CVTA should be the standard bearer. For example, the driver’s skill set will change as automated driving technology evolves, so how does CVTA assist schools throughout the process. Also, we need to look at how, if at all, apprenticeships could be affected by cuts to WIOA funding and/or other sources that potential trucking students can take advantage of to start their career. Lastly, we need to be aware of and identify new services and resources that would be beneficial to our members. The world is changing more quickly every day, and I believe CVTA can help schools adapt to these changes. Q: How did your career in transportation begin? A: I grew up in a small town in Iowa working in my father’s gas station.
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Villisca, IA
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Top Gun
In addition to being CVTA’s Vice Chairman, Larry is also the Chairman of the Legislative & Regulatory Committee and Member Services Committee. I remember one of my first experiences when I was 12 or 13, I drove my uncle’s straight truck up the main street from his lot to the gas station for service. Our city’s Police Chief met me, waved, and smiled. For 20 years, I was a full-time farmer raising corn, soybeans, and livestock. Transporting grain and livestock everyday was a large part operating a farm. In 1999, while looking for another career path to pursue, my brother put me in contact with a driving school owner and I worked there for two years. In 2001, I started JTL Truck Driver Training.
Q: What is the best thing about being involved in the CVTA community? A: CVTA is the first organization in my 40 plus years in business, which I have been an active member. Everyone I know in the association is dedicated to helping all schools, both large and small, succeed in producing well-trained, safe professional truck drivers. CVTA is an amazing organization, and I want to continue my support through my new role as Vice Chairman.
SOME KIDS FOLLOW IN THEIR PARENTS’ FOOTSTEPS. OTHERS TAKE THE WHEEL. When he gets a little older, Ryan might be impressed to learn that professional truck drivers deliver the food, supplies, and materials that are the lifeblood of the American economy. But that’s not why he wants to be a driver when he grows up. He wants to drive because he’s proud of his dad. And the feeling is mutual.
#ThankATruckDriver TruckingMovesAmerica.com
IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT Darren Yager Instructor Commercial Driver Training
Being an instructor is often demanding, but also very fulfilling. I never realized what the instructors were going through when I attended Commercial Driver Training (CDT) in Long Island, New York. In 1992 at the age of 29, I was searching for a career that had it all: great money, available benefits, and enough stability to support a family. I was about to get married to Bonnie, whom I’m still married to, and she often spoke about her father who was a truck driver. She suggested I look into trucking as a career. As I began my research, I soon found myself taking out a student loan and enrolled to start courses at CDT where I am now an instructor. As a student, I admired and looked up to all the Instructors. At that time, I couldn’t understand how they were so comfortable getting into a tractor trailer with a first timer like myself. After spending many years away from New York utilizing my license, my wife and I moved back where I began looking for a different job in the trucking industry. Two years later I applied and began my position as an Instructor at the very school that started it all for me. No amount of years driving can prepare you to be a CDL driving instructor. Being an Instructor is different than being a driver. With extensive education and training, however, it made me into the Instructor I am today. While driving a truck might seem like second nature, breaking down that knowledge and being able to teach it to someone with no experience in a clear and concise manner takes practice. To be an instructor, the industry experience and knowledge you provide to students such as backing up a trailer, parallel parking, knowing how and when to shift, as well as making accurate turns is critical. It helps reinforce good habits that we understand make great drivers. It also helps instill confidence in students, so they can go on to be great drivers themselves. My advice to fellow instructors, or those that are entertaining becoming one, is to shadow an experienced Instructor and their students. Learning from other Instructors allows you to take bits and pieces from their teaching skills, apply your personal style, and then use this material with future students that you will train.
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Instructor Best Practices • Pass along your experience as a driver • Learn from other Instructors • Create your own personal teaching style • Instill confidence in your students • Understand each student learns differently
Also keep in mind, every student is different from the last. Whether it’s how they learn, a language barrier, or any other speed bump, you will soon learn how to handle these issues and devise ways to overcome them. There’s nothing more enjoyable than seeing a student pass their road test who previously had no experience. You feel accomplished. Lastly, sharing your experience as an Instructor – from education to industry experience – provides encouragement to students while they are training to become a truck driver. In addition, your journey to becoming an Instructor gives them something to think about should they want to continue their career in the trucking industry and make the change from driving to instructing.
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Air Brakes and Acronyms at the DMV Christoff Barfield, Gardena CDTC Manger E: DMVPublicAffairs@dmv.ca.gov
Acronyms are a particulars specialty of the CA DMV - or California Department of Motor Vehicles, to be exact. When it comes to prospective commercial drivers, the most important acronym might be C-O-L-A-S, which corresponds to the five segments of the air brakes check portion of the vehicle inspection. This is one of the most challenging aspects of the entire Commercial Driver License Skills Test, as it requires applicants to both verbalize knowledge of acceptable testing parameters while physically performing and verbalizing the results of an inspection of the air brake system on their vehicle. Because of its critical nature to the skills test, the DMV wants to highlight the different segments of the air brakes check, as well as some common errors. C is for Cut In: This test identifies the point at which the governor allows the compressor to build up air pressure after repeated use of the brakes, avoiding dangerously low pressure. This is checked by slowly depleting air through application of the brake, and watching when the governor “cuts in” and the air gauge needle begins to rise. A common mistake is rapidly fanning the brake without waiting between pumps, making it impossible to determine when the Cut In actually occurred. O is for Cut Out: This test measures the maximum air pressure before the governor stops supplying air, avoiding uncontrolled pressure buildup. The goal is to identify when the needle stops rising, indicating that Cut Out has occurred. Common errors include attempting to perform the test while the needle is already stationary, or indicating that Cut Out has occurred because the sound from the air dryer (spitter valve) is heard. L is for Low Air Warning: All vehicles with air brakes must be equipped with a low air warning device – an audible alarm, a light, or both – to alert the driver of low air pressure. This test causes the low air warning to activate through repeated application of the brake, and identifies the pounds per square inch (PSI) at which this occurs. Common mistakes include not having the ignition key in the “on” position, or continuing to fan the brake after the warning has activated.
not releasing the parking brakes prior to starting the test. It is important to note that for all of the C-O-L-A-S segments, it is the applicant’s responsibility to not only physically perform the test and note the results to the DMV examiner, but also to verbalize the acceptable parameters for each test as indicated in Chapter 5 of the California Commercial Driver Handbook. Failure to verbalize the correct parameters is one of the most common reasons drivers fail the air brakes check. Remember, this all takes place in the samevehicletheapplicantbringstothe test. All vehicles are different, and the one being tested might have different settings than the one on which the applicant practiced. It is also important to note the order of the tests is entirely up to the applicant. This article addressed the tests in the same order of the acronym, but they do not have to be performed in that sequence. C-O-L-A-S could just as easily be L-O-C-A-S. However you want to do it, good luck and safe driving!
A is for Applied Leakage Test: This checks for air loss during a one-minute period of continuous brake application, which would alert the driver of a dangerous leak. Common errors include not waiting to let the air pressure gauge “settle” before beginning the timed session, failing to release all parking brakes or not having sufficient air pressure before starting the test, and leaving the motor running. S is for Spring Brakes: These act as emergency brakes on air brakesequipped vehicles, and activate automatically when air pressure reaches dangerously low levels. Also referred to as a “pop out” test, this determines what PSI the spring brakes will activate after depleting the air pressure by fanning the brakes continuously. A common mistake includes
The California Commercial Driver Handbook is available at www.dmv.ca.gov 12 | Newsletter
HILL DAY 2018
HILL DAY SPONSORS
CVTA members converge on Capitol Hill to promote legislative agenda At the end of February, 28 CVTA members came to Washington to promote the Association’s 2018 legislative agenda and discuss with members of Congress and/or their staff how these policy issues are affecting their schools and businesses. During these meetings, CVTA members used the opportunity on to promote H.R.4719, which is bipartisan legislation sponsored by Congressmen Jimmy Duncan (R-TN) and Steve Cohen (D-TN), to require states to reduce their CDL skills test delay times to seven days or less. The legislation was well received by the Congressional offices with many agreeing that is a problem and indicating their willingness to support the bill. CVTA members also worked to secure support for continued funding for Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants in upcoming budget discussions, another initiative that enjoys strong bipartisan support.
Covenant Transport’s Matt Beach
‘‘
Anytime, we have invited a member of Congress to our school in the past, it’s been a great thing. The impact it makes is much greater than a person would think. Larry Marsh CVTA Legislative & Regulatory Committee Chairman
In all, CVTA members met with House and Senate Congressional leaders and/or staff in 67 offices including: • • • • • •
the House Education & Workforce Committee; the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee; Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee; Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation; House & Senate Appropriations Committees; and Representatives and Senators from CVTA member home districts.
CDS Tractor Trailor Training’s Chris Pender & Jill Balleh, PIA’s Tim Venzin & Nadia Speney, and Werner’s Jim Morbach
Roadmaster’s Brad Ball and Werner’s Sarah Wellman & Jim Morbach
SAVE THE DATE
February 26-27, 2019 Washington, DC 13 | Newsletter
WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT CVTA’S SPRING CONFERENCE Jerome Redmond CVTA Conference Committee Chairman
As Chairman of the Conference Committee, I can’t wait to attend our Spring Conference next month in Clearwater, Florida. Sure, there’s the beautiful weather, sandy beaches, outdoor activities and dining, but that’s not why I’m truly excited. I’m mostly looking forward to seeing you, our members. I’m eager to meet conference first timers and those members that never miss our events. I’m looking forward to intellectual discussions about industry trends, being updated on issues that affect our businesses, and engaging with a wide-range of personalities and backgrounds.
I’m also looking forward to seeing the Conference Committee’s hard work and due diligence in pulling together a great line-up of speakers and session topics. Each year, I consider myself grateful to be part of an association that includes members I can learn from and be inspired to become more engaged in the overall the success of the organization. It’s events like CVTA’s Spring and Fall Conferences that truly provide a positive and rewarding experience for members. I hope that you join us in Clearwater next month for what I expect to be another great conference.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO CVTA’s 2017 FALL CONFERENCE? “I really enjoyed the CEO Series for several reasons. Hearing from the perspective of CEO’s is very important because they drive the business at a high level and to hear what is important to them is also very important. Having the CEO’s participate means to me that the CVTA is important to them and worth their time” Donna Miller, Director, Liberty Card Services
Our Year In Review features pictures from our 2017 Spring & Fall Conference’s “CVTA has a unique culture that is not like other conferences for vendors that I have attended. Everyone is friendly and you have a chance to get to know each other beyond the businesses we are representing.” Sean Martin, Director of Business Engagement, Partners Financial Services 14 | Newsletter
@CVTA CVTA President & CEO Invited to Speak at CCJ’s Symposium
BILLS WE’RE WATCHING H.R. 5358 - DRIVE Safe Act H.R. 4719 - Addresses CDL skills test delays H.R. 4227 - Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act of 2018 H.R. 5131 - Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018
CVTA’s President & CEO Don Lefeve has been invited to participate as both a panelist and lead a breakout session during CCJ’s Symposium taking place in May. On Wednesday, May 23rd he will participate in the morning session dedicated to “Driving the Next Generation” on the panel “Who’s Behind the Wheel” and the breakout session “Grow Your Own. Build a Pipeline. Hold on to What You’ve Got.” If you’re attending, be sure to stop by and hear him talk about how training providers get students into schools and how fleets can maximize their recruiting efforts to hire drivers.
2018 SPRING CONFERENCE MAY 2nd-4th CLEARWATER, FL
H.R. 5089 - Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2018
CVTA proudly welcomes the following schools, carriers and associate companies into the association. We’re proud to have them as our newest members. California Driving Academy (rejoined) Bridgestone Commercial Solutions Chain Security, LLC Climb Credit Driver IQ The Johnson Group May Trucking Skills Fund
2018 FALL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 17-19th ST. LOUIS 2019 HILL DAY FEBRUARY 26-27th WASHINGTON, D.C.
H.R.4467 - Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018
CONTACT CONNECT
703.6428.9444 | info@cvta.org | www.cvta.org
SAVE THE DATE
CVTA’s 2018 FALL CONFERENCE October 17 - 19 Hyatt Regency’s St. Louis at The Arch Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and our Website for updates!