Trucking trade organization American Trucking Association executives are warning that “the second quarter is going to be terrible.” They are warning that fleets will be forced to lay off drivers. Yet at the same time, many of the same megacarriers represented by the ATA are trying to make sure that new CDL drivers keep flooding into the industry. Their proposed solutions include allowing CDL students to drive without first obtaining even a permit.

“I would expect a lot of trucking failures,” said Bob Costello, Chief Economist for ATA, according to Freightwaves. “I hate going out and saying that, but I think you need to know that. Even with SBA loans, it’s federal help, but it’s not going to save the day.”

Costello was speaking during a webinar hosted by the National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council. He told attendees that an economic recession had begun. Because of that ATA expects freight volumes to drop significantly. And when freight volumes fall, trucking companies will have to lay off drivers.

Yet despite that, an open letter addressed to the National Governors Association was sent on Tuesday. In it, a coalition of carriers, CDL schools, and trucking industry groups urged the Governors of all 50 states to declare that CDL schools and State Driver’s License Agencies (SDLAs) are “essential services” that can remain open during the national emergency declaration.

Our nation desperately needs to continue training and testing new professional CDL drivers,” the letter states.

The coalition writes that the lack of new CDL students poses “a critical threat to our nation’s ability to move medical supplies, food, and other freight.”

The letter is signed by megacarriers including C.R. England, Knight-Swift, Roehl, Stevens, US Xpress, and more – many of whom are members of ATA.

“We offer the following ideas for additional action as a means of ensuring that all states do their part to aid our national need for truck drivers while also ensuring adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols:

Open designated SDLA locations with limited hours so students may obtain their CDL permits;

Establish a temporary online CDL permit test;

Allow SDLA employees to administer the CLP test to students at the school’s location;

Allow out of state students to take CDL skills exams in your state; or

Issue temporary authority to accept a state licensed CDL school certificate in lieu of a CLP if state SDLAs are closed.”

Source: freightwaves, freightwaves, NGAletter