Authored by Andrea Pavon, Director, ACE Services & External Relations
Municipal governments across the country rely on Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders to perform essential public services — from public works and fleet transportation to fuel delivery and utility operations. Recent CDL policy changes at the U.S. Department of Transportation and proposed in Congress with H.R. 5688 may shift the availability of CDL drivers in the U.S. As CDL driver supply and federal safety standards for CDLs evolve, municipalities must ensure that new public drivers for their community meet all regulatory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency.
Many communities choose to train CDL drivers themselves or outsource to third party, but there is another way. The Administrative Compliance Experts (ACE) program, developed by the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), offers a structured solution to help public sector employers comply with the federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) mandate. While originally designed to support the propane industry, the program is available to a broad range of employers that operate commercial motor vehicles — including public sector entities.
Understanding the Federal ELDT Mandate
In February 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented the Entry-Level Driver Training rule. The regulation requires individuals seeking a Class A or Class B CDL — or a hazardous materials endorsement — to complete prescribed theory (knowledge) instruction and behind-the-wheel (BTW) training from a Registered Training Provider (RTP) before taking their state CDL examination.
The rule was designed to improve roadway safety by standardizing training requirements nationwide. However, it also introduced significant administrative responsibilities for employers. ELDT compliance involves curriculum documentation, instructor qualifications, recordkeeping, submission of training certifications to FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry and audit preparedness. For municipal agencies with limited HR or compliance staff, navigating these requirements can be time-intensive and complex.
Role of the ACE Program
The ACE program offers municipal governments a practical pathway to meet federal ELDT standards without overextending internal resources. By combining compliant online instruction, structured documentation management, and locally delivered behind-the-wheel training, ACE supports safe, efficient and fiscally responsible CDL workforce development.
NPGA’s ACE program was developed to streamline this process. Serving as an FMCSA Registered Training Provider, ACE manages the administrative components of ELDT compliance on behalf of participating employers. Serving as an FMCSA Registered Training Provider, ACE manages the administrative components of ELDT compliance on behalf of participating employers.
Rather than requiring a municipality to independently register as an RTP and manage federal reporting, ACE provides:
- Federally compliant online theory instruction.
- Administrative oversight and documentation management.
- Submission of completed training records directly to FMCSA.
- Audit support and compliance verification.
By centralizing these responsibilities, ACE allows public employers to focus on operational training and workforce development, while ensuring federal standards are met.
ACE Simplified Five-Step Process
The ACE program organizes ELDT compliance into five manageable steps:
- Enrollment: The employer registers the driver through ACE’s online system.
- Online Theory Training: The driver completes required knowledge-based coursework.
- Behind-the-Wheel Instruction: The employer provides hands-on driving instruction using qualified personnel and municipal equipment.
- Documentation Submission: ACE reviews and submits all required records to FMCSA.
- CDL Testing: Once training is certified, the driver is eligible to take the state CDL exam.
This model enables municipalities to maintain control over hands-on instruction — often conducted by experienced fleet supervisors or senior drivers — while outsourcing regulatory reporting and administrative oversight.
Cost and Operational Considerations
Municipal governments must balance compliance obligations with fiscal responsibility. Traditional third-party CDL schools can involve significant tuition, travel expenses and employee downtime. By contrast, ACE supports a hybrid training model that allows employers to conduct behind-the-wheel instruction internally.
This approach may reduce training-related travel costs, minimize employee absences and allow agencies to align instruction with local fleet needs. For example, public works departments can train drivers using the same vehicles and equipment they will operate in the field.
Additionally, centralized administrative management reduces the risk of incomplete documentation or reporting errors that could delay licensing or expose an entity to audit.
Workforce Development Benefits
Beyond regulatory compliance, ELDT implementation presents an opportunity for municipal workforce development. Many local governments face challenges recruiting and retaining CDL-qualified employees, particularly in specialized roles requiring hazardous materials endorsements.
Programs such as ACE can support internal career pathways by:
- Enabling current employees to upgrade from non-CDL to CDL positions.
- Supporting cross-training across departments.
- Reducing barriers to obtaining hazardous materials endorsements.
- Accelerating onboarding of new hires.
When training is accessible and efficiently administered, agencies can build a more resilient workforce pipeline while maintaining high safety standards.
Applicability to Municipal Agencies
Although developed by NPGA, the ACE program is not limited to propane marketers or private-sector employers. It is available to any organization operating commercial motor vehicles subject to ELDT requirements. This includes public utilities, fleet services divisions, emergency management agencies and other municipal departments that rely on CDL drivers.
Municipal participation may be particularly advantageous for smaller jurisdictions that lack the resources to independently manage RTP registration and federal reporting requirements. ACE’s established infrastructure provides a ready-made compliance framework without requiring additional administrative staffing.
Supporting Public Safety Objectives
At its core, the ELDT mandate and recent federal government policy changes reflect a national commitment to improving roadway safety and ensuring that commercial drivers are adequately trained before operating large vehicles. Municipal governments share this commitment. Public sector fleets operate in close proximity to residential neighborhoods, schools and community facilities, where safe driving practices are essential.
By utilizing a structured compliance program such as ACE, municipalities can demonstrate proactive adherence to federal safety standards while maintaining accountability and transparency in their training processes.
Conclusion
The implementation of Entry-Level Driver Training requirements has reshaped the CDL training landscape for both private and public employers, and recent changes could lead to CDL driver shortages that may make it harder for local governments to find qualified CDL drivers. To learn more about ACE and NPGA’s work with municipalities, please contact Andrea Pavon, Director of ACE Services & External Relations, at apavon@npga.org.
Visit the NLC Strategic Partnerships page to learn more about the organizations like ACE Services & External Relations dedicated to making NLC the premier resource for local governments.
