FMCSA Allows Some Teen Truck Drivers to Cross State Lines in Pilot Program
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Aug. 19 announced a proposal to conduct a three-year pilot project to allow truck drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 with military heavy truck driving experience to operate in commerce between states.
The pilot, a mandate in the FAST ACT, would compare the safety record of the younger drivers sponsored by a participating carrier with those 21 and older to determine whether age is a critical safety factor.
FMCSA also proposes the creation of a working group to consult with the agency in conducting, monitoring and evaluating the pilot program.
Federal regulations currently do not permit drivers under the age of 21 to drive in interstate commerce.
The trucking industry has said the pilot could help address the shortage of CMV drivers and that recruiting young persons as truck drivers would be easier if they could be approached immediately after graduation from high school before they become involved in another career.
Those drivers who participate in the pilot must be a member or former member of the armed forces or reserve and national guard components between the ages of 18 and 21, who are qualified in a military occupational specialty to operate a CMV or similar vehicle.
A driver participating in the program may not transport passengers or hazardous cargo or operate a vehicle in a “special configuration,” FMCSA said.
FMCSA said that because many service personnel leave active duty while close to or over the age of 21, it is likely that most study group members would be reservists or National Guard members. To have a statistically valid sample of drivers under 21, about 200 study group participants are desired, FMCSA said.
The pilot would require participating carriers to install and operate electronic logging devices on all vehicles operated by study and control group drivers.
The agency is seeking public comment on the pilot plan for 30 days after it is formally published in the Federal Register.
