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.
Drew
I remember looking back to when I was 18 and wanting a chance (30+ years ago!) when youth were brought up with respect and dignity, I believe back then the age was 25yrs old, why!? Because it was believed to be unsafe under the age of 25 to operate a commercial motor vehicle, when people had half a brain, and any program should be 2 phased new drivers MUST be certified driving in mountains west of I-25 in winter conditions, there also should be some certification going in and out of Long Island, NY and down into JFK International Airport I remember driving close to 3 years locally in suburban areas more industrial type… I remember my 1st day over the GW Bridge I almost froze up! It was considered your initiation “if you made it back alive and the truck was in one piece, that was your test by the trucking companies” so as far as saying 18-20yrs of age I would be more inclined to say it should be raised back up to 25yrs of age to drive a CMV where it really should be! Hummm I wonder why you can’t rent a car until your 25 yrs old (Last I knew?!)
Steve
Fmcsa needs to focus on driving schools training those who are of legal age how to operate in a safe and legal manor. There are already enough uneducated invincible feeling fools driving trucks now as it is… Imagine an 18 year old as one of them… No one here was ready for all of these responibilities when you were 18. And Don’t give me the military angle… Pounding sand and shooting bad guys is not the same as driving a truck and keeping the roads safe from domestic idiot drivers that we are not at war with.
Kevin Owens
I think it’s a dumb idea, young people under the age of 21 are not responsible enough to smoke drink or Vape then they are not responsible enough to drive a tractor trailer , they are not toys they are not regular cars they require more concentration and awareness of your surroundings than most people under the age of 21 that I have met anyway I personally think is just asking for trouble
William Holland
I meant to say absolutely no. They the 18 to 20-year-olds are simply not mature enough. Accidents will go up it’s hard enough keeping these kids off their phones play lonely adults.
Richard Jager
That’s an article 2 violation of constitution.
William Holland
Absolutely no!. There( 18-20) are simply not mature enough.
Chris
This is just another example of government and corporate America greed.They continue to use the youth of america as an expendable product.Its always been perfectly fine to give an 18 year olds a M4 rifle and send them to fight a war that they have no idea what they’re fight for and at the same time the government tell them they are NOT old enough or mature enough to drink a beer or smoke a cigarette because they’re NOT 21 years old.This is the same thing.If it benefits the government or economic level of the country it is OK.Its NOT OK! IF this is what the FMCSA wants for big money american then they need to take the blame and financial responsibility when it goes wrong and people die.Its shouldn’t no longer fall on the shoulders of the carriers and the insurance companies.Government wanted it,Government can pay the bill for their mistakes.Just my thought.
James
Actually I’d be for it but only if they couldn’t operate solo until 21.
Maximo Rodriguez
20 years old is ok not 18 .
James
Also have to be partnered with someone with 8 years exp. being as that’s the typical amount of exp required in a lot of states to be cdl trainers in schools
Michael Perkins
Why not. Once upon a time, you didn’t go through a school. You didn’t have someone showing you the ropes always. I know guys where someone threw them a set of keys and said figure it out. If you could drive, you could drive a truck. This being said, traffic is much heavier and aggressive. This will open the door for them to hammer us harder. It isnt weeding out the bad… it’s just making it bad for those of us that want to do a safe job and feed our families. Law makers that haven’t a clue what it’s like to live on a truck are making decisions that are putting a lot of good drivers out of business. You don’t even have to read or speak english anymore. How is that a good thing?
Fancy
Your exactly right Mr. Michael. That will not be good for anyone, but the ones making the big money until the lawsuits start to hit them. I wouldn’t put my 18 and 20 year old behind a big rig, unless they are in with a team partner who has 5 years or greater.