Pilot Program Would Allow Younger Drivers To Operate Trucks in Interstate Commerce
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests comments on a proposed pilot program to allow drivers 18 to 20 years old to drive trucks in interstate commerce under strict conditions. The request arose from a Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) petition attempting to address difficulties in recruiting qualified commercial vehicle drivers. Under current federal regulations, such drivers must be at least 21 years old.
Several TCA member companies have agreed to participate in the pilot program if it is approved.
Pilot programs are authorized by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. It provides the US Secretary of Transportation authority to grant exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) so alternatives to regulations can be evaluated.
Under the proposal, each applicant driver would be subject to at least 48 weeks of intensive classroom training, driving instruction, and supervision designed to lead the trainee to full-time employment as an interstate commercial driver. This training would include mandatory attendance at an approved truck driver training school for at least 22 weeks and eight weeks of training in a motor carrier's “driver finishing” program.
Driver finishing would be a course of instruction and on-the-job training offered by motor carriers to develop the younger driver's basic skills, as well as develop greater maturity and judgment, under the daily direction and guidance of an experienced driver trainer. This would be followed by 18 weeks of team driving with an experienced driver. Younger drivers would be required to pass performance standards of the entire 48-week program and reach the age of 19 before beginning solo driving.
Under the proposal, a consortium of participating motor carriers and schools would train about 1,000 drivers currently under 21. TCA expects that up to 20 carriers and about 10 schools would participate in the pilot program.
If approved, the FMCSA would closely monitor drivers, driver training schools, and motor carriers participating in the pilot program to ensure they comply with all program requirements and FMCSRs. Participants found not in compliance will be removed from the program immediately and be subject to appropriate administrative and civil sanctions.
Written comments should be sent by May 21, 2001, to the US DOT Docket Facility, Attn: Docket #FMCSA-2000-8410, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh St SW, Washington DC, 20590-0001.