Fort Smith has decided to pause its Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) program due to recent findings from a federal review. This decision follows a nationwide investigation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that scrutinized commercial driver training providers across the United States.
Key Findings from Federal Review
The FMCSA conducted over 1,400 investigations, resulting in 448 notices for proposed removals from its national Training Provider Registry. Additionally, 109 providers chose to withdraw voluntarily, while 97 remain under investigation.
Fort Smith’s Actions
On February 9, the city of Fort Smith received notification regarding administrative findings in their ELDT program. In response, city officials took immediate corrective measures, including:
- Updating instructor credentials and endorsements.
- Strengthening verification procedures through regular checks of Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) and Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS).
- Enhancing internal recordkeeping to ensure compliance.
Josh Buchfink, the public relations manager for the city, stated that the city acted quickly to comply with the federal requirements. Although officials had 60 days to respond, corrective actions were initiated right away.
Program Specifics
The ELDT program is exclusively designed for city employees who require commercial driver’s licenses for their positions. It does not offer training to the general public. The city previously passed a similar review in May 2024, highlighting its commitment to compliance.
Currently, the ELDT program remains on hold while Fort Smith awaits confirmation from the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding the adequacy of its corrective actions. Officials have emphasized that the findings from the federal review were administrative and did not indicate a risk of removal from the registry, unlike many other providers across the country.
