JJ Keller offers ELDT compliance assistance

J.J. Keller & Associates now offers a free audit checklist for Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements and a Safe & Smart ELDT trainer certification program to help companies ensure compliance amid increasing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforcement.

More than 3,000 ELDT providers already have been removed from FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry (TPR) for non-compliance, and another 4,500 are at risk as the FMCSA begins a review of all 16,000 providers for adherence to the ELDT rule, which went into effect in 2022, J.J. Keller reported.

“Our free new ELDT audit checklist will help companies that use a third-party ELDT provider or that conduct training in-house to verify compliance with federal requirements,” Dustin Kufahl, J.J. Keller vice president of consulting and training services, said in a news release. “The checklist covers everything from documentation to training materials, instructor qualifications, student and vehicle records, training assessments and record retention.”

For companies relying on a third-party ELDT provider, removal from the TPR could cause driver onboarding delays. According to Kufahl, bringing training in-house with J. J. Keller’s Safe & Smart certification program provides turnkey resources to start delivering compliant, high-quality training without depending on an expensive outside provider that operates on their own schedule.

“Our Safe & Smart program meets all ELDT requirements while developing excellent trainers and drivers,” Kufahl added. “You’re able to deliver best-in-class training that’s engaging and puts driver safety first.

“In fact, our clients have seen a 20% greater driver retention rate, which dramatically improves training ROI.”