PAM Transport Seeks a CDL Exemption for New Truck Drivers

PAM Transport Seeks CDL Exemption for New Truck Drivers

PAM Transport wants federal approval to let some new truck drivers begin hauling freight sooner. The company has asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for an exemption from a rule that applies to drivers with a commercial learner’s permit (CLP).

The request would apply only to drivers who have passed their CDL skills test but have not yet received their CDL. PAM Transport estimates that 500 to 700 drivers could use the exemption each year.

If approved, the change could help these drivers begin working sooner. However, FMCSA has not approved the request, and current CDL rules remain in effect.

Why PAM Transport Wants a CDL Exemption

PAM Transport works with CDL schools to train and recruit new truck drivers. Some of these schools are in states other than the driver’s home state.

This can create a delay after a driver passes the CDL skills test. The driver may still need to return home to receive their actual CDL.

During this period, the driver holds a CLP and must follow federal rules for permit holders.

PAM Transport says these delays can keep newly trained drivers from starting work. The company also says the wait can cause financial strain and make it harder to keep new drivers in the industry.

The requested exemption would let certain drivers take part in a freight trip back to their home state. This could help them gain driving experience while moving closer to receiving their CDL.

What Current CDL Rules Require

Under federal rule 49 CFR 383.25(a)(1), a driver operating a commercial truck with a CLP must have a properly licensed CDL holder seated beside them.

The supervising driver must hold the correct CDL class and any needed endorsements. That person must also provide direct supervision while the permit holder drives.

PAM Transport wants FMCSA to waive the front-seat requirement for drivers who have already passed their CDL skills test.

Under the proposal, a qualified CDL holder would still have to remain inside the truck. However, that person would not have to sit in the front passenger seat.

This would not allow permit holders to drive commercial trucks completely alone. It also would not apply to drivers who have not passed their CDL skills test.

PAM Transport is seeking a five-year exemption from the current requirement.

How the PAM Transport Request Could Affect New Drivers

The main benefit claimed by PAM Transport is a faster move from CDL training into paid employment.

New drivers sometimes complete their training and pass the required test before their CDL is issued. PAM Transport says this gap can delay their entry into the workforce.

With the proposed exemption, eligible drivers could begin taking part in revenue-producing freight trips instead of returning home without driving.

The company believes this would help drivers maintain the skills they gained during training. PAM Transport also argues that starting work sooner could help reduce driver turnover.

However, the application does not say how much drivers operating under the exemption would earn. It also does not explain whether they would receive standard driver pay, trainee pay, or another form of compensation.

As a result, any direct financial benefit to individual drivers remains unclear.

The request also does not provide specific figures showing how long new drivers typically wait for their CDL credentials.

Safety Requirements Would Still Apply

PAM Transport says its plan would maintain a level of safety equal to or greater than the current rules.

The company points to the fact that each driver would already have passed the CDL skills test.

Before allowing a driver to operate under the proposed exemption, PAM Transport says it would check several items.

These include a valid CLP, a regular driver’s license, proof of passing the CDL skills test, required endorsements, and medical qualifications. Drivers would also need to meet the company’s own qualification standards.

PAM Transport would confirm that each driver was not under an out-of-service order or a suspension of driving privileges.

A qualified CDL holder would have to remain in the vehicle throughout the trip.

Drivers would also need to carry certain documents, including proof of passing the skills test and a copy of the exemption. These records would need to be available during roadside inspections.

PAM Transport says it would track each driver’s safety performance. Any driver who no longer met the exemption’s conditions would be removed from operations under the exemption.

Still, the request raises questions about direct supervision.

The current rule places an experienced CDL holder next to the permit holder. Under the proposal, that person could be elsewhere inside the truck.

The application does not explain whether supervising drivers would be allowed to sleep while the permit holder operates the truck. It also does not provide a detailed plan for how rest periods would work.

These issues could be important as FMCSA reviews the safety of the request.

Other Trucking Companies Have Sought Similar Relief

PAM Transport is not the first trucking company to seek this type of exemption.

FMCSA has previously granted similar relief to carriers such as CRST, C.R. England, and Prime. A comparable exemption for Covenant Logistics was also renewed in 2026.

These past decisions show that the issue has been under federal review for years.

In February 2024, FMCSA also proposed broader changes to CDL testing and licensing rules. Part of that proposal addressed drivers who had passed their CDL skills test but were still waiting to receive their licenses.

The proposal included more flexibility for the location of a supervising CDL holder inside the truck.

However, the existing front-seat supervision requirement remains in place. PAM Transport must therefore seek its own exemption unless federal rules change.

Previous exemptions do not guarantee that FMCSA will approve this latest request.

FMCSA Opens Public Comment Period

FMCSA published the notice on October 27, 2026, and is accepting public comments on the PAM Transport request.

The agency must review the application, the company’s safety claims, and any comments submitted by the public.

Federal law requires FMCSA to decide whether the exemption would provide a level of safety equal to or greater than the current requirement.

If FMCSA approves the request, the agency will publish the exemption’s effective dates and conditions. It could also place limits on how drivers operate under the exemption.

If the request is denied, FMCSA must explain its decision.

Public comments are due November 27, 2026, under docket number FMCSA-2026-3466.

What Happens Next for New CDL Drivers?

For now, the PAM Transport request does not change federal CDL rules.

Permit holders must continue following the current supervision requirements unless they are covered by an approved exemption.

If FMCSA grants the request, PAM Transport could allow hundreds of qualifying new drivers each year to begin hauling freight before receiving their CDL credentials.

The decision could also add to the discussion about how long newly trained drivers must wait before starting regular trucking work.

For new drivers, the main issue is whether the time between passing a CDL test and receiving a license can be reduced without lowering safety standards.

FMCSA’s final decision will determine whether PAM Transport can use the proposed arrangement and what conditions would apply.