Trucking company asks FMCSA to allow CLP holders to haul freight without a CDL holder in the front seat

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is considering an exemption request that would allow a trucking company’s commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders to operate without a commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder in the front passenger seat under certain circumstances. FMCSA is currently accepting public comment on an exemption renewal request from trucking company Landair Transport LLC, doing business as Covenant Logistics, according to a Federal Register Notice to be published on April 21, 2026. Covenant asks for relief from the rule requiring that a CLP holder be accompanied by a CDL holder with the proper CDL class seated in the front seat while the CLP holder operates the commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Specifically, the exemption would apply to CLP holders who have successfully passed their CDL skills test.