WASHINGTON (KNX) — In a move to help ease the continued backlog of the United States supply chain, teenagers could soon be part of interstate commerce. The test program, announced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), would allow anyone over the age of 18 to drive big rigs across state lines.
Under current regulations, only those over the age of 21 are allowed to go from state-to-state.
“The pilot program, detailed Thursday in a proposed regulation from the FMCSA, would screen the teens, barring any with driving-while-impaired violations or traffic tickets for causing a crash,” according to a statement shared by VOA News.
Those against the apprenticeship program argue that younger drivers tend to get in more crashes than older drivers, based on crash data, and say “it’s unwise to let teenage drivers be responsible for rigs that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.”
Initially created in September 2020, the program was required in 2022 as a result of Congress signing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (ILJA) in November 2021, according to the Federal Register — the daily journal of the U.S. government.
Overall, the program allows anyone between the ages of 18 and 20 “to operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce.”
In a statement shared with VOA News, The American Trucking Associations said it “supports the measure as a way to help with a shortage of drivers.” The group told the outlet it estimates some 80,000 drivers are needed to help meet the Country’s current needs.
Through the apprenticeship program, the drivers will be required to go through 120 and 280-hour probationary periods and trucks used must be equipped with electronic braking, according to Voa. The program is expected to last for up to three years once implemented.
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