U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Todd Young (R-IN) said on Friday that they applaud the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for advancing the 18- to 21-year-old truck driver pilot program.
The program will allow 18- to 21-year-old truck drivers to operate in interstate commerce, as well as intrastate commerce. While the program includes several safety requirements, such as an accompanying experienced driver and the participation of motor carriers with a safe record, it would increase the number of truck drivers in interstate commerce, the Senators said.
“If a 19-year-old can safely drive a truck from one end of our state to the other, federal law should allow the same young American to drive across state lines,” Wicker, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, said. “Implementation of this important provision will help address driver workforce challenges, which are particularly important given the ongoing supply chain transportation disruptions. Though I have concerns about the Registered Apprenticeship program requirement, I appreciate FMCSA’s work to advance this important program.”
Based on Young’s DRIVE-Safe Act, the program was introduced in February 2019 and was included in the Senate Commerce Committee’s Surface Transportation Investment Act that was part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“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. “My DRIVE-Safe pilot program will address the driver shortage, provide new career opportunities for young Hoosiers and Americans, and make the roads safer. We have faced a truck driver shortage for years, but it has now reached a crisis level as we witness major supply chain bottlenecks across all sectors. I commend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for acting swiftly to establish this program.”