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FMCSA proposes under-21 driver pilot program

John Gallagher
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Pilot program would last for up to 3 years. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

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.

86 Comments

  1. Hoss

    I have a better idea FMCSA, why dont they get rid of you morons and put these kids in your posts. This is going to hike the insurance rates up and imagine the billions of law suits.

  2. Dr. Alan Stancombe

    I was in the Air Force at 18 and I xan only speak to military members therefore yes for them since they drive heavy military equipment at that age. I was in EOD and drove a 130K pound home disposal truck made of steel. I always had a supervisor with me until I myself at E-8 supervised the younger ones.
    In closing, only if they are SUPERVISED at all times meaning team driving only from 18 to 21 then, and only then, they show sincere maturity.

    1. Paul Jones

      Obviously safety doesn’t matter anymore. We know its all about the MONEY! THE YOUTS are a a financial resource for the government. The blood of all the innocent people killed and maimed are on you.

    2. Rick Blatter

      APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM is what is required under 21. Before SELECTIVE DEREGULATION there was no “Driver SHORTAGE”.

      Once Upon A Time, before SELECTIVE DEREGULATION, Truck Drivers were RESPECTED, Well Paid, Courteous & SAFE.

      Watch how Trucking once was, and SHOULD BE FOR YOUR (and EVERYONE ELSE’S) SAFETY:

      Pacific Intermountain Express (PIE).
      Watch “Wheels of Progress” on YouTube (~23 mins):
      https://lnkd.in/e7NicRA

      What was “SELECTIVE DEREGULATION”?

      In the 1980s powerful Manufacturing, Shipping & Receiving LOBBYISTS got together to DEREGULATE THEMSELVES while simultaneously OVERREGULATING TRUCK DRIVERS.

      Today Shippers, Receivers & Load Brokers benefit from total DEREGULATION & Impunity, even when it is their fault.

      Truck Drivers, conversely, are OVERREGULATED, Fined & held ACCOUNTABLE for EVERYONE else’s mistakes & wrongdoings, even when it is not their fault!?

      Trucking today is much like putting a marathon runner in ankle shackles & handcuffs, then ordering them to run a marathon. Would this be fair & ethical? Somehow in Trucking such “rules & regulations” have become ok and the “norm”. One of the biggest reasons for an alleged “DRIVER SHORTAGE”, Unfairness! It’s always the Driver’s fault, even when it isn’t.

      Maybe it is time to stop DENIAL, take the Bull by the horns, and seriously look at how trucking was SUCCESSFULLY & SAFELY Run in the Golden Years, vs what it has become. It is not Rocket Science. Nor a secret. EVERYONE KNOWS what the problems, challenges & SOLUTIONS are.

      http://www.ATAtruckers.com

      http://www.ITAtruckers.org

      http://www.CTAtruckers.ca

      http://www.3715secondRULE.com

      Dan Rather Report on Trucking:
      https://youtu.be/A1iN-a0cvsQ

  3. Robert Dale Spicer

    Don’t know about everyone else but between 18 and 21 I was too busy trying to prove the world how cool I was I understand everybody has a different thought pattern, we already have them out here they think these trucks are hot rods. They are absolutely not, I can see it now look at me I’m a big truck driver you think we got wrecks now what you need to do is take away all the CDLs that these people that can’t read right speak the English language possess, when I took my test it was mandatory that you must read write speak and understand the English language FMCSA it’s making a joke out of one of the world’s biggest industries if you have it a truck brought it I would like to take the head honcho out on the road with me for two weeks see if they can abide by the ridiculous rules and the things that go on out here truck stops chargeing us to Park FMCSA is just a joke it’s a matter of which politician has the most money in which politician owns the most trucks yeah you think things are bad now just put kids behind the wheel

  4. Scott C Smith

    I really don’t think it’s a good idea, sure a shortage of truck drivers and now they want to drop the age limit? I suppose you have to start somewhere. I guess if your from a state with 4 seasons meaning snow and ice and maybe some steep hills or mountains would be good. Can’t run logbook, must be ELD. I wouldn’t want some old fart telling me I can’t do it!! 25000 miles in one state I don’t think is enough experience. I think it should be more. Automatics verses manual ,2 different reactions on the truck side. Kids got a lot to learn.

  6. BIGRED2020

    If these folks are thinking about letting 18-20 yr old folks drive that’s good. But i will say this these driving schools out here need 2 held accountable. You can’t put someone in a class room for one week and go ride around with them for 2 r 3 weeks and say they are now TRUCK drivers hell NO. THESE TRUCKS ARE NOT PLAY TOYS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 80,000 POUNDS OF IRON OUT HERE. THEY NEED 2 BE PUT ON A WET TRAINING COURSE THEY NEED 2 B PUT ON BLACK ICE ETC. THERE IS A LOT WE GO THROW OUT HERE AND WE ARE ALWAYS THE BLAME FOR STUFF. SO IF THEY ARE GOING 2 START THIS PROGRAM ALL NOT SOME BUT ALL TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOLS NEED TOO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IMPROPER TRAINING! I WOULD LOVE 2 SEE SOME OF THESE YOUNG FOLKS DO SOMETHING WITH THERE LIFE BESIDES ON THE STREET CORNER ETC DOING WRONG AND GOING 2 JAIL. ALSO BEFORE THEY ARE GIVEN THEY CDL’S IT NEED 2 BE MADE CLEAR THAT YOU ONLY HAVE 1 SHOT AT THIS. IF YOU MESS UP AND LOSS YOUR CDLS FOR STUPID STUFF YOU DON’T GET THEM BACK!

  8. Ray Tipton

    Bad idea!! This is not a video game. You screw up and peoples lives are jepardized or worse! How many of that age category do you know that are responsible much less mature to handle the responsibility.
    50 years out here and damn glad I’m leaving it. Now,I have to retrain myself to run like hell!

Comments are closed.

John Gallagher

Based in Washington, D.C., John specializes in regulation and legislation affecting all sectors of freight transportation. He has covered rail, trucking and maritime issues since 1993 for a variety of publications based in the U.S. and the U.K. John began business reporting in 1993 at Broadcasting & Cable Magazine. He graduated from Florida State University majoring in English and business.