LINCOLN - The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles will begin enforcing a new federal rule in February 2022 that establishes new requirements for some commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants and CDL training providers.

Drivers seeking their first CDL will now be required to receive federally approved entry-level driver training by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This applies only to new applicants. Those holding a CDL issued before Feb. 7, 2022, will be exempt from this requirement.

The FMCSA will have to approve a provider to train the new CDL applicants under this rule. Third-party training providers who charge for entry-level driver training will need to be approved by the Nebraska DMV as an official Driver Training School.

Companies or "trainers" that do not charge for training are exempt from the state requirement but will still be subject to federal requirements.

The approval process for training providers could take up to one month, so it is recommended that training providers who are required to become an approved Driving Training School should apply as soon as possible.

“This new rule will make a significant impact on those who want to obtain a CDL as well as CDL training providers,” said Sara O’Rourke, Driver Licensing Services Division administrator. “It is important to remember that anyone who currently has a CDL will not be required to receive this training unless they someday apply for an upgraded CDL class or a passenger, school bus or hazardous materials endorsement.”

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