U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Jon Tester (D-MT) reintroduced the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act Wednesday.
The act addresses the trucking and logistics industry driver shortages and aims to enhance safety training and job opportunities for young truck drivers.
The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Angus King (I-ME), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KN), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).
Currently, federal law prohibits individuals under 21 from moving goods from state to state, even though 49 states and the District of Columbia allow anyone 18 or older to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The DRIVE-Safe Act establishes an apprenticeship program for legal operation of a commercial motor vehicle across state lines by CDL holders under 21.
“Today, 18-year-olds can drive more than 200 miles from New Albany to Gary and back, but they aren’t allowed to drive two miles from New Albany to Louisville,” Young said. “The DRIVE-Safe Act will eliminate this ridiculous regulation and in doing so address the driver shortage while providing new career opportunities for young Hoosiers.”
The apprenticeship training program would ensure the young drivers are trained beyond current standards and institute rigorous safety standards and performance benchmarks and require the drivers to complete at least 400 hours of on-duty time and 240 hours of driving time with an experienced driver in the cab with them.
Additionally, the legislation would require all trucks used in the program for training to be equipped with safety technology like active braking collision mitigation systems, a video event capture system, and a speed governor set at 65 miles an hour or less.
“Now more than ever, young Montanans need more opportunities to get comprehensive job training, access higher paying work, and grow their careers early on,” said Senator Tester. “This bipartisan bill will do just that, allowing younger truck drivers to get top-of-the-line apprenticeships that kick their careers into gear, all while providing a big boost to the thousands of communities across the Big Sky who rely almost exclusively on trucks to move goods in and out of the state.”
U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-Ind.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.