Shipping and Logistics
FMCSA Seeks Comments on Young Driver Program
Written by Sandy Williams
May 17, 2019
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking comments on a potential trial program that would allow drivers age 18 to 20 to operate commercial vehicles for interstate commerce. The FMCSA already has a pilot program for former military drivers under the age of 21 and expanding the program would increase the potential labor pool for long-haul drivers.
“ATA supports FMCSA’s efforts to expand on its current work examining younger commercial drivers,” said American Trucking Association President and CEO Chris Spear. “Right now, 18-, 19- and 20-year-old drivers are driving trucks in the United States. What these pilot programs will do is set out a path for these drivers to fully participate in our industry by allowing them to drive interstate.”
The FMCSA is asking commercial vehicle stakeholders to comment on the training, qualifications, driving limitations and vehicle safety systems that FMCSA should consider in developing a program for younger drivers.
“We want input from the public on efforts that offer the potential to create more jobs in the commercial motor vehicle industry, while maintaining the highest level of safety,” said FMCSA Administrator Raymond P. Martinez.
Supporters of the program note that young operators currently drive long distances safely in large states such as Texas; crossing a state line would not suddenly impair their driving abilities.
“Allowing younger drivers, who are already moving goods intrastate, to drive interstate is a commonsense step that has support not just from the trucking industry, but from a broad coalition,” Spear said.
Providing the proper training for younger drivers is a high priority for the ATA. The association has been a supporter of the bi-partisan DRIVE-Safe Act that proposes that commercial drivers under 21 complete an apprentice training program to teach them to drive safely and avoid hazards. Recruiting young drivers and exposing them early to a well-paid career path would help the industry fill the shortage of qualified drivers for long-haul routes and provide the foundation for retaining talented operators long-term.
“Between FMCSA’s proposed pilot project and the bipartisan support for the Drive SAFE Act in Congress, we hope we will soon create a path for more young people to fully participate in our industry,” added Spear.
Opponents of the proposal say that younger drivers are not the answer to high turnover rates in the trucking industry. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association says that lowering the driving age could negatively impact wages and working conditions, exposing younger drivers to potential predatory practices by carriers.
“Launching this pilot program would go against FMCSA’s goal of improving highway safety,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer. “The agency should not be used as a tool for large motor carriers to expand their driver pool instead of fixing the problems that have led to their extremely high turnover rates.
Sandy Williams
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