On Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it would be seeking public comments on a new pilot program to allow drivers between 18 and 20 years old to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce.
“This action will allow the Agency to carefully examine the safety, feasibility, and possible economic benefits of allowing 18 to 20-year-old drivers to operate in interstate commerce. Safety is always FMCSA’s top priority, so we encourage drivers, motor carriers, and interested citizens to review this proposed new pilot program and share their thoughts and opinions,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Wiley Deck.
The pilot program, the agency said, would allow drivers under 21 to participate if they fall into one of two categories. One group of those eligible to participate in the pilot program are 18 to 20-year-old drivers with a commercial driver’s license who operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce while taking part in a 120-hour probationary period and a subsequent 280-hour apprenticeship program established by an employer while still on probation. The other group would be 19- and 20-year-old commercial drivers who have operated CMVs in intrastate commerce for at least one year and 25,000 miles. None of the pilot program participants would be allowed to haul passengers, hazardous materials, or use special configuration vehicles, the agency said.
Currently, 49 states and the District of Columbia allow 18- to 20-year-olds to operate CMVs within a state’s borders. In July 2018, FMCSA announced a Military Commercial Driver Pilot Program, which allowed certain under 21 commercial drivers with military training to participate in interstate commerce.
FMCSA said it expects the program to run for three years.