Goal

This project will develop and validate curricula and proficiency examinations for (1) new entrant motor carriers and (2) applicant household goods (HHG) motor carriers, in accordance with congressional requirements and FMCSA’s safety mission.

Summary

This project will produce:

• A complete new entrant motor carrier curriculum, including interactive activities and knowledge checks, that focuses on requirements and expectations for new entrants, including applicable federal safety and commercial regulations, standards, and orders of the government, as well as safety and industry best practices. 
• A complete applicant HHG motor carrier curriculum, including interactive activities and knowledge checks, that focuses on federal laws relating to consumer protection, estimating, consumers’ rights and responsibilities, and options for limitations of liability for loss and damage.
• A complete proficiency examination for new entrant motor carriers that tests new entrant motor carriers’ knowledge of the applicable federal safety and commercial regulations, standards, and orders.
• A complete proficiency examination for applicant HHG motor carriers that tests applicant HHG carriers’ knowledge of federal laws relating to consumer protection, estimating, consumers’ rights and responsibilities, and options for limitations of liability for loss and damage.
• A final report and briefing that summarizes the approach used to develop and validate the curricula and proficiency examinations.

Impacts

This project will directly support one or more rulemakings to establish a written proficiency examination for new entrant motor carriers and HHG motor carriers, as required by Congress in MAP-21 and the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999. The Agency expects this rulemaking will improve motor carrier safety outcomes and support more compliant motor carrier operations, resulting in net safety and economic benefits. This project will also support the Agency’s increased focus on HHG consumer protection through the development of a consumer protection proficiency examination for newly registered HHG motor carriers.