Chicago, IL — The Truckload Carriers Association announced on September 18, 2026 that its 2026‑27 Fundamentals of Safety Management program will include ten new one‑hour online modules and six live webinars starting in October.

The initiative builds on a foundation of self‑paced courses that have long served as a reference for drivers and safety managers. The new modules cover Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, hours of service, DOT drug testing protocols, driver qualification files, dispatch, accident procedures, safety meetings, and safety leadership. Seven of the modules are already available, while additional content on safety leadership, driver orientation and onboarding, and medical regulations will launch in the coming months.

The hours‑of‑service module tackles 49 CFR Part 395 and ELD compliance, a topic that directly affects daily routes for CDL‑A drivers and owner‑operators. The dispatch course trains staff on communication, problem‑solving, and common situations involving drivers and customers. Accident procedures cover reporting, investigation, and record‑keeping after qualifying crashes. A separate module teaches how to create and maintain driver qualification files, a requirement that fleet managers must keep up with to avoid penalties.

What This Means for Drivers

CDL‑A drivers will gain a clearer understanding of the latest hours‑of‑service rules, reducing the risk of unintentional violations. Owner‑operators can use the driver orientation and onboarding module to streamline new‑hire processes and avoid costly compliance gaps. Fleet managers will find the accident procedures and driver qualification files courses useful for maintaining accurate records and meeting FMCSA audit requirements.

Industry Reaction

Carriers across the sector have welcomed the flexible format, noting that the live webinars can be attended without enrolling in the full online program. Trucking companies hiring now have expressed that the training provides a practical tool for onboarding new safety staff and for existing personnel looking to refresh their knowledge of FMCSA regulations. The ability to focus on specific topics—such as dispatch communication or ELD compliance—has been praised as a cost‑effective way to keep teams up to date.

Key Points

• 10 one‑hour online modules cover core FMCSA regulations and daily operations.
• Seven modules currently available, with safety leadership and driver onboarding added later in 2026‑27.
• Six live webinars begin in October, covering marketing, compliance, burnout, discipline, coordination, and maintenance.
• Webinars are open to all trucking professionals, independent of the online program enrollment.

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