FMCSA floats pilot program for under-21 interstate drivers

September 4, 2020

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on Friday proposed a pilot program that would allow nonmilitary commercial driver’s license holders 18 to 20 years old to operate commercial vehicles across state lines. The announcement follows an initial request from May 2019 seeking comments on the training, qualifications, driving limitations and vehicle safety systems that FMCSA should consider in developing the program.

Modeled on the DRIVE Safe Act and backed by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the proposal would allow a limited number of CDL holders already permitted to drive inside the state the opportunity to participate in an apprenticeship program designed to further train them on interstate driving and promote enhanced safety. The pilot program would be set up to require drivers to meet safety and skill requirements that exceed current standards in most states.

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