THE Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has taken a first step toward a new pilot programme to allow commercial drivers under the age of 21 to operate in interstate commerce, reports the American Journal of Transportation
THE Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has taken a first step toward a new pilot programme to allow commercial drivers under the age of 21 to operate in interstate commerce, reports the American Journal of Transportation. Applauding the development American Trucking Associations (ATA) president and CEO Chris Spears said: 'Right now, 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old drivers are driving trucks in the United States. What these pilot programmes will do is set out a path for these drivers to fully participate in our industry by allowing them to drive interstate.'
In a Federal Register Notice, FMCSA announced it was seeking comments on what 'training, qualifications, driving limitations, and vehicle safety systems that FMCSA should consider in developing options or approaches for a second pilot programme for younger drivers.'
This would become FMCSA's second younger driver pilot programme, following a scheme announced last July to allow younger veterans to drive in interstate commerce.
'Allowing younger drivers, who are already moving goods intrastate, to drive interstate is a common sense step that has support not just from the trucking industry, but from a broad coalition,' Mr Spear said.
'Between FMCSA's proposed pilot project and the bipartisan support for the Drive SAFE Act in Congress, we hope we will soon create a path for more young people to fully participate in our industry,' he said.
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