On Wednesday, a bill was presented in the House of Representatives with the aim of boosting participation in a struggling truck driver apprenticeship pilot program. This program is specifically designed to prepare 18-20-year-olds for interstate driving.

The bill, known as the DRIVE Safe Integrity Act, was introduced by Representatives Rick Crawford, a Republican from Arkansas, and Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas. Its primary objective is to introduce modifications to the existing Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, which was established as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Although the pilot program initially set a target of accommodating 3,000 participants, the actual number of enrollments has been disappointingly low, with only around a dozen individuals signing up. Recognizing the need to address this lack of engagement, the bill seeks to revitalize and improve the program’s effectiveness.

The DRIVE Safe Integrity Act has garnered support and appreciation from prominent industry organizations such as the American Trucking Associations and the International Foodservice Distributors Association. These organizations view the legislation as a positive step forward, building upon the previous bipartisan support for the DRIVE Safe Act in previous Congresses and the inclusion of the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program in the infrastructure bill.

The introduction of this bill reflects the collective efforts to enhance the truck driver apprenticeship pilot program, garner broader support, and ensure that more young individuals are adequately prepared and encouraged to pursue careers in interstate driving.

The ATA and IFDA blamed the low participation in the apprenticeship program on what they called “extraneous USDOT requirements for program participation that were not included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.” They said the DRIVE Safe Integrity Act would help get the pilot program back on track by:  

  • Urging DOT to take corrective actions that would improve participation in the SDAP
  • Requiring DOT to provide Congress detailed reports on SDAP’s status and corrective actions taken to improve participation. 

“Building a 21st century supply chain requires a strong, vibrant and growing trucking workforce,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “The DRIVE Safe Integrity Act will bolster new career pathways into interstate trucking while promoting safety and training standards that far exceed the bar set by states today. This legislation offers a timely and essential trucking workforce and supply chain solution, built off years of broad bipartisan Congressional support.”

In most parts of the United States, specifically 49 states and the District of Columbia, individuals aged 18, 19, and 20 are legally allowed to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and operate heavy-duty commercial vehicles for intrastate commerce. This means they can drive within the boundaries of a single state.

However, when it comes to interstate commerce, which involves transporting goods and passengers across state lines, federal regulations impose restrictions on these same drivers. According to federal rules, 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds are not permitted to engage in interstate driving with commercial vehicles.

This disparity exists between state and federal regulations, where state laws grant younger individuals the ability to drive commercially within their state’s borders, while federal laws impose stricter requirements for interstate driving. It’s important for drivers and companies operating in the transportation industry to be aware of and comply with these regulations to ensure legal and safe operations.

“By directing DOT to steer the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program back to the course Congress originally intended and providing a path forward for participants to safely enter the workforce, this bill will ensure our industry has the talent it needs to meet the economy’s freight demands in the years to come,” Spear said.