10.13023/KTC.RR.2021.16
Keathley-Helil, Valerie
Valerie
Keathley-Helil
University of Kentucky
Martin, Andrew
Andrew
Martin
University of Kentucky
Howell, Brian
Brian
Howell
University of Kentucky
Walton, Jennifer
Jennifer
Walton
University of Kentucky
Investigation of Workflow Processes and Best Practices in Kentucky’s CDL Program
Kentucky Transportation Center, University of Kentucky
2021
FOS: Civil engineering
Kentucky’s Division of Driver Licensing maintains the driver history records for all licensed drivers in Kentucky. It serves as the state driver licensing agency and is the locus for meeting the federal CDL requirements under 49 CFR 384. Kentucky relies on FMCSA’s Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grant funding to subsidize salaries for Federally Funded Temporary Labor (FFTL). FFTLs verify and process documents as well as field phone calls from customers. DDL administrators say they cannot meet the CDL reporting timeframes without FFTL labor, but the agency is not able to fund temporary or full-time staff members on its own. However, FMCSA indicated a reluctance to continue funding FFTLs in recent grant cycles. Without the funding for FFTLs, Kentucky’s SDLA anticipates difficulty meeting FMCSA compliance standards or passing an FMCSA CDL program audit without the use of FFTLs. The research team undertook a study to identify strategies for optimizing workflow and adjusting to the loss of FFTLs. This study examines the approaches states are currently using to administer state and federal CDL requirements, and analyzes how those approaches may help state CDL programs remain compliant despite fewer resources. In addition, the study evaluates Kentucky’s current workflow to identify opportunities for improvement. The research will not only help Kentucky adjust to staffing limitations, it also provides other SDLAs with tools to implement innovative practices in their state’s CDL program.
© 2021 University of Kentucky, Kentucky Transportation Center
Report Number: KTC-21-16/RSF-55-1F