The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) wants public comment on a pilot program allowing drivers ages 18-20 to haul interstate commercial freight.
Most states and the District of Columbia already allow 18- to 20-year-old commercial driver’s license holders to operate trucks within the state.
“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,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Wiley Deck in announcing the proposed pilot project Friday. “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.”
The proposed program allows drivers falling within one of two categories to participate:
- Eighteen- to 20-year-old CDL holders who operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce while taking part in a 120-hour probationary period and a subsequent 280-hour probationary period under an apprenticeship program established by an employer, or
- Nineteen- and 20-year-old commercial drivers who have operated CMVs in intrastate commerce for a minimum of one year and 25,000 miles.
Participating drivers would not be allowed to operate vehicles hauling passengers or hazardous materials or special configuration vehicles, according to the proposal. The test program would last up to three years.
Details of the proposed program can be found here.
Jimmy
Place new intelligence test in the current age requirement to keep the dumb*as from getting their CDL, then allow the 18+ probationary CDL take place if the same intelligence test is applied to them.
This’ll lower the number of drivers all by itself, then allow the market to adjust, then allow the driver’s age to change.
We allow men and women to vote at 18, risk their lives in the military at 17 and yet with the expectation of making good decisions we don’t let them drink until 21 or CDL drive interstate until 21.
Where’s the disconnect?
And for those folks that foolishly assume I fit into the under 21 category because I have this viewpoint. I assure you I am 36.
The idea that this is about federal or large organization greed is valid however not the only reason this would benefit the American market.
Charlieboy
One of the problems is the trainers they need to learn how to drive 1st before they teach,there’s to much cutting off,following to close ,cell phone distraction .people are on a death wish if we trained people up good then it wouldn’t be a bad ideal also govern the trucks for the rookies
Clayton S Bratz Jr
Dear sir..
You people are insane. You have created all these rules and regulations to enslave and steal the money of hard working americans.
I am 63 years old. I have served my country in the armed forces. I have spent 17 years as a Life Safety Building Engineer working for Simplex. Google it.
You want to regulate to the tee every move we make. Tie our hands behind are backs because you think you know the greater good. You justify your regulations in the name of safety while creating rules that keep us from sleeping when we need it. Created a situation wear drivers have to race a clock to get were they need to be. And that’s not safety. We drivers are under attack on every street, road, highway, town, and city in the country. And now you want kids driving because you have forced adults out of the industry. I guess it will be easier to control kids. We the people know what you are.
Charlieboy
One of the problems is the trainers they need to learn how to drive 1st,there’s to much following to close,cutting off,speeding,cell phone usage if we can train these guys up the old school way and govern the trucks for rookies then it might not be a bad ideal I have 20years driving and here in California there are a lot of stupid drivers and also in other states
Mizike
A lot of the cutting off and following to close is done by vets owner operators company trucks won’t let you get close
Charlie Smith
How ridiculous to even consider younger drivers ,I wouldn’t even trust my children to pick up groceries at our local store..
Rebecca Yeomans
I agree with Triple V and Lisa Lancaster.
Ellis Hughes IV
They barely got hair on their nuts, so no.
TripleV
Yes, by all means. There are not enough accidents on the highway currently. Let’s introduce even younger, less experienced and less mature drivers onto the interstates to negotiate 80,000 pounds of guided destruction.. All so the mega carriers can force even lower rates on new, unsuspecting drivers and thusly loosening capacity to further put downward pressure on spot rates so that only the mega carriers survive, you Rat Bastards. To be clear, the coveted title of Rat Bastards is inclusive only of lobbyists, mega carriers, the ATA, the FMCSA and anyone else complicit with this entire concept. (The term “Rat Bastards” is in no way intended to hurt anyone’s feelings. It is only used sarcastically to denote greed and ignorance of forethought)
Lisa C Lancaster
AMEN to the above, agree 1000%
Rebecca Yeomans
100%