Notice2026-07715
Commercial Driver's License: Landair Transport LLC d/b/a Covenant Logistics Application for Exemption
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 21, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Abstract
FMCSA requests public comment on Landair Transport LLC d/b/a Covenant Logistics's (Covenant Logistics) application for an exemption renewal from the requirement that a commercial learner's permit (CLP) holder be accompanied by a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder with the proper CDL class seated in the front seat while the CLP holder operates the commercial motor vehicle (CMV). FMCSA is required by statute to publish a notice explaining each exemption request, and such notice does not indicate what decision FMCSA will ultimately reach on the request. After reviewing the application, safety analyses, and public comments submitted, FMCSA will grant or deny the exemption.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21366-21367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07715]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0063]
Commercial Driver's License: Landair Transport LLC d/b/a Covenant
Logistics Application for Exemption
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of application for exemption renewal; request for
comments.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA requests public comment on Landair Transport LLC d/b/a
Covenant Logistics's (Covenant Logistics) application for an exemption
renewal from the requirement that a commercial learner's permit (CLP)
holder be accompanied by a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder
with the proper CDL class seated in the front seat while the CLP holder
operates the commercial motor vehicle (CMV). FMCSA is required by
statute to publish a notice explaining each exemption request, and such
notice does not indicate what decision FMCSA will ultimately reach on
the request. After reviewing the application, safety analyses, and
public comments submitted, FMCSA will grant or deny the exemption.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 21, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket Number FMCSA-
2024-0063 by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>. See the
Public Participation and Request for Comments section below for further
information.
<bullet> Mail: Dockets Operations, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W58-213, West Building,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
<bullet> Hand Delivery or Courier: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W58-
213, West Building, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket number
(FMCSA-2024-0063) for this notice. Note that DOT posts all comments
received without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal
information included in a comment. Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
Privacy Act: In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), DOT solicits
comments from the public to better inform its exemption process. DOT
posts these comments, including any personal information the commenter
provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the system of records
notice DOT/ALL-14 FDMS (Federal Docket Management System (FDMS)), which
can be reviewed at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-act-system-records-notices">https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/privacy/privacy-act-system-records-notices</a>. The comments are posted without
edit and are searchable by the name of the submitter.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Bernadette Walker, FMCSA Driver
and Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle
Safety Standards; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#701215021e1114150404155e07111c1b150230141f045e171f06"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="234146514d4247465757460d54424f48465163474c570d444c55">[email protected]</span></a>. If you have questions on
viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Dockets
Operations at (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation and Request for Comments
FMCSA encourages you to participate by submitting comments and
related materials.
A. Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
notice (FMCSA-2024-0063), indicate the specific section of this
document to which the comment applies, and provide a reason for your
suggestions or recommendations. You may submit your comments and
material online or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only
one of these means. FMCSA recommends that you include your name and a
mailing address, an email address, or a phone number in the body of
your document so the Agency can contact you if it has questions
regarding your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2024-0063/document">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2024-0063/document</a>, click on this notice, click
``Comment,'' and type your comment into the text box on the following
screen.
If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing.
FMCSA will consider all comments and material received during the
[[Page 21367]]
comment period. Comments received after the comment closing date will
be filed in the public docket and will be considered to the extent
practicable.
B. Confidential Business Information (CBI)
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure.
If your comments responsive to the notice contain commercial or
financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you
actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to the
notice, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission that
constitutes CBI as ``PROPIN'' to indicate it contains proprietary
information. FMCSA will treat such marked submissions as confidential
under the Freedom of Information Act, and they will not be placed in
the public docket of the notice. Submissions containing CBI should be
sent to Brian Dahlin, Chief, Regulatory Evaluation Division, Office of
Policy, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or
via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#96f4e4fff7f8b8f1b8f2f7fefafff8d6f2f9e2b8f1f9e0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="01637368606f2f662f6560696d686f41656e752f666e77">[email protected]</span></a>. At this time, you need not send a
duplicate hardcopy of your electronic CBI submissions to FMCSA
headquarters. Any comments FMCSA receives not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this notice.
C. Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as any documents mentioned in this
preamble as being available in the docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, insert FMCSA-2024-0063 in the keyword box, select
the document tab and choose the document to review. To view comments,
click this notice, then click ``Browse Comments.'' If you do not have
access to the internet, you may view the docket by visiting Dockets
Operations in room W58-213 of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, West Building, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure
someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or (202) 366-
9826 before visiting Dockets Operations.
II. Legal Basis
FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b) to grant
exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal
Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an
opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application,
including the applicant's safety analysis. The Agency must provide an
opportunity for public comment on the request.
The Agency reviews the application, safety analyses, and public
comments submitted and determines whether granting the exemption would
likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the
level that would be achieved absent such exemption, pursuant to the
standard set forth in 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1). The Agency must publish
its decision in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)). If granted,
the notice will identify the regulatory provision from which the
applicant will be exempt, the effective period, and all terms and
conditions of the exemption (49 CFR 381.315(c)(1)). If the exemption is
denied, the notice will explain the reason for the denial (49 CFR
381.315(c)(2)). The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).
III. Applicant's Request
Current Regulatory Requirements
Under 49 CFR 383.25(a)(1), a CLP holder operating a CMV must be
accompanied by a CDL holder with the proper CDL class and endorsements
necessary to operate the CMV. The CDL holder must be physically present
at all times in the front seat of the CMV next to the CLP holder and
must have the CLP holder under observation and direct supervision.
Applicant's Request
Covenant Logistics requests a 5-year renewal of its exemption from
49 CFR 383.25(a)(1) to allow CLP holders who have successfully passed a
CDL skills test and are thus eligible to receive a CDL, to drive a CMV
without a CDL holder present in the front passenger seat. FMCSA
initially granted the exemption effective July 30, 2024 through July
30, 2026 (89 FR 61225). The exemption, if granted, would allow Covenant
Logistics to employ a driver to transport freight immediately after the
driver passes his or her CDL skills test and while the driver's CDL
documentation is being processed by his or her State of domicile.
Covenant Logistics' application states that it recruits and develops
driver candidates with good safety records who have graduated from
established driver training schools. On an annual basis, it hires
approximately 1,200 new drivers each year through driver training
schools. Covenant Logistics estimates that approximately 2,000 drivers
annually would operate CMVs under the requested exemption. The
applicant asserts that prior to the implementation of 49 CFR
383.25(a)(1), States routinely issued temporary CDLs, valid only in the
State of domicile, to drivers who had successfully passed a CDL skills
test. This process made it possible for Covenant Logistics to
immediately designate a new driver as on duty, and direct that driver
to his or her State of domicile without using a second driver in on-
duty status. The exemption renewal, if granted, would ensure continuity
of operations under the current exemption [89 FR 61225] scheduled to
expire July 30, 2026.
Applicant's Equivalent Level of Safety
Covenant Logistics asserts that the exemption will result in a
level of safety that is greater than the level of safety without the
exemption. Covenant states that a CLP holder affected by this exemption
will have already completed all the necessary steps to qualify for a
CDL, including passing the CDL skills test, with the remaining
requirement being the administrative function of obtaining the actual
CDL from his or her home State. By granting the exemption, CLP holders
who have passed a CDL skills test can begin immediate and productive
on-the-job training. According to Covenant Logistics, this will allow
CLP holders to improve their recently acquired driving skill set and
put them to work immediately at an income that meets or exceeds
industry standards. Covenant Logistics said that under the proposed
exemption it would ensure that a CDL driver remains in the CMV while
the CLP holder is driving, but not necessarily in the front passenger
seat.
A copy of Covenant Logistics' application for exemption is
available for review in the docket for this notice.
IV. Request for Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(b), FMCSA requests public
comment from all interested persons on Covenant Logistics' application
for an exemption from the requirement in 49 CFR 383.25(a)(1). All
comments received before the close of business on the comment closing
date will be considered and will be available for examination in the
docket at the location listed under the Addresses section of this
notice.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator of Policy.
[FR Doc. 2026-07715 Filed 4-20-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.