The session, titled “How the New FMCSA Exemption and TMC Streamline Technician Training Requirements for Inspections,” is designed to help techs, fleet managers, and maintenance leads understand how the rule will speed up technician certification while keeping safety front and center.

According to ASE, “The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) earlier this year granted American Trucking Associations (ATA) and its Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) a five-year exemption that will cut the time new technicians need to spend preparing to enter the workforce while maintaining high standards for safety and competency.”

What This Means for Techs

In simple terms, this exemption gives trained techs a faster path to qualify for key inspection and repair work. Instead of completing a full year of experience or training, technicians can now qualify with 540 hours of instruction if that training follows TMC’s recommended practices (RPs).

This rule change, originally requested by ATA back in 2020, helps both new and seasoned techs move up more quickly while ensuring the same level of safety and skill the FMCSA requires.

Webinar Details and Who’s Speaking

Robert Braswell from TMC will break down exactly how the new exemption applies to motor carriers, intermodal equipment providers, and individuals. He’ll also explain how self-certification works for those who complete RP-based training programs.

According to the FMCSA, this new approach “would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to or greater than the level of safety provided by the regulatory requirements.”

Anyone who joins the live session will receive a certificate of attendance for professional development. ASE notes it may take up to a week for certificates to arrive by email.

Even if you can’t make the live event, it’s still worth registering. Attendees will get a follow-up email with access to the recorded version once it’s available.

Why It Matters for the Shop and the Road

This new rule could help fleets and repair shops get qualified techs up to speed faster without cutting corners. For drivers, it means more skilled hands keeping rigs safe and compliant, which keeps everyone rolling smoothly.

To register for the free ASE webinar, visit the official ASE Education Foundation webinar registration page.

Source: The Trucker

The post ASE Offers Free Webinar to Help Truck Techs Understand New FMCSA Exemption appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Confronted with a pressing need for skilled technicians, the TMC forged alliances with educational stalwarts like WyoTech, Western Technical College, Lincoln Tech, University of Northwest Ohio, Universal Technical Institute, and SAE. This partnership is more than just an exchange of resources; it’s about nurturing the passion of students ready to dedicate themselves to this field. Robert Braswell, TMC’s executive director, remarked, “These initiatives provide greater choice for deserving scholarship-seeking students looking to prepare for a career as a commercial vehicle technician.”

Scholarship Recipients and Their Stories:

TMC/Lincoln Tech/NADC Diesel Truck Technician Scholarship: Covering half the tuition for an intensive training program at Lincoln Technical Institute or Lincoln College of Technology, the scholarship propels the aspirations of these students:

• Aaron Lanter of Richmond, KY
• Thomas McNamara of West Springfield, MA
• Asher Dunn of Lancaster, KY
• Tucker Brown of Barbourville, KY

TMC/University of Northwest Ohio Scholar: A remarkable $20,000 scholarship was awarded to Shaliah Mae Kohlenberg of DuBois, PA.

TMC/WyoTech Diesel Truck Technician Scholarship: With partial scholarships of up to $5,000:

• Wesley Bihn of Portland, IN
• Eric Culley of John Day, OR
• William Gallacher of Carrizozo, NM
• Jayden Walker of Milton-Freewater, OR

UTI Diesel Technology Program Scholarship: These half scholarships for UTI’s renowned programs fuel the ambitions of:

• Maggie Bockenstedt of Farley, IA
• Cooper Hambright of New Cumberland, PA
• Juan Carlos Palacios of The Bronx, NY
• Bryan Perpuli-Ochoa of Las Cruces, NM

TEC/Western Tech Scholarship: Raul Vega Jr. of Tornillo, TX, was awarded a scholarship covering half the tuition for diesel mechanics and technology studies at Western Tech.

TMC/SAE Donald D. Dawson Technical Scholarship: With renewable $1,500 scholarships, these recipients are:

• Zachary Been of Bakersfield, CA
• Bryan Edgar of Huntsville, A
• Josh Cassell of Worcester, MA

For a full list of scholarship rules, interested candidates can visit TMC’s website. All completed scholarship applications for 2025 must be submitted by April 15, 2025, with winners announced by May 15, 2025.

Source: The Trucker

The post ATA Technology and Maintenance Council Awards Scholarships to 17 Aspiring Technicians appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.