WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 26, 2001) – The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is asking for comments on pilot program proposal that would allow drivers 18-20 years old to drive in interstate commerce under strict conditions.

Under current U.S. regulations, interstate commercial drivers must be at least 21 years old.

The pilot project is supported by the Truckload Carriers Association. The group says that because of the gap between when young people get out of high school and the age they can legally drive interstate, many potential drivers are lost to other careers.

Pilot programs are made possible under provisions of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), giving the Secretary of Transportation authority to grant exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations in order to evaluate alternatives to regulations.

Under the terms of the proposal, each applicant driver would be subject to a minimum of 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 a minimum of 22 weeks. This would be followed by eight weeks of training in a motor carrier’s “driver finishing” program under the daily direction and guidance of an experienced driver trainer). After that, the driver would have 18 weeks of team driving with an experienced driver. Younger drivers would be required to pass the performance standards of the entire 48-week program and reach the age of 19 before beginning solo driving.

The FMCSA is interested in public comment on whether such a pilot program could ensure a level of safety that is equal to or greater than that of drivers 21 years of age or older who are not subject to specialized selection, training, and monitoring beyond that required by the Commercial Driver’s License.

Written comments on this proposal should be sent by May 21, 2001, to the USDOT Docket Facility, Attn: Docket No. FMCSA-2000-8410, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590-0001. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is posted on the Internet and can be viewed after searching at http://dms.dot.gov/. Comments also may be submitted electronically at this site.

Source: truckinginfo.com