The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s pilot program for 18-21-year-old military truck drivers is now accepting its first applications. Approved younger drivers with the military equivalent of a commercial driver’s license will be able to operate across state lines if they are sponsored or hired by a participating fleet.
Currently, drivers between the ages of 18 and 20 are forbidden from operating interstate, but can operate intrastate. The pilot program will serve two groups: military veterans or reservists who are transitioning back to civilian life and the trucking industry that faces a shortage of qualified drivers.
The three-year pilot requires FMCSA to compare the safety records of the younger drivers with the control group of existing drivers 21-24 who have comparable training and experience driving trucks. The results of this data analysis can help the agency prove whether age significantly impacts safety.
FMCSA is recruiting 70 carriers to participate by enlisting at least 200 drivers for the control group. Law enforcement will have access to a list of the participating carriers and drivers, who will carry an exemption letter for inspections.
