Truck driving is vital to ensuring that the economy functions appropriately. However, there has been quite a bit of stressful news related to trucking, and that trend is continuing. The latest is that several truck drivers could have their commercial driver’s licenses downgraded in the coming months. This would be the case for drivers who fail to meet specific guidelines.

There is a crackdown on truck driving standards

According to CDL Life, 171,361 truck drivers with either their full CDL or a CLP could soon have their licenses downgraded. The potential downgrades are due to these drivers having violations in the federal drug and alcohol database. All 171,361 of the impacted truck drivers had a prohibited status as of June 1st of this year. Naturally, it’s important in the field of truck driving that these guidelines are followed.

However, these truckers have time to ensure that their CDLs and CLPs remain valid. They must complete the mandatory return to service process by November 18th of this year. If they have not by then, all state driver licensing agencies must remove their privileges. Still, the prohibited drivers can complete the return to duty process after their privileges have been downgraded and have their licenses reinstated in order to return to truck driving.

The outlet also says that 130,289 of the prohibited drivers had yet to start the return to service process. This was as of the start of June. It’s also important to point out that those drivers with a prohibited status can’t currently operate a commercial vehicle on public roads due to their drug or alcohol violations.

For other trucking news, check out this piece about a group of truckers saving a man from jumping from a bridge.