The U.S. Senate recently approved a resolution that lifts the age restriction for commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, allowing individuals aged 18 to 20 to participate in interstate commerce. This legislative change has the potential to significantly impact the trucking industry and the broader economy by expanding the pool of qualified drivers and addressing the current driver shortage. But what are the implications of altering CDL age restrictions when it comes to driver safety?
The Significance of Changing CDL Age Restrictions
Nearly every state, along with the District of Columbia, currently permits CDL holders aged 18 to 20 to operate commercial motor vehicles within state lines. However, federal regulations have restricted these young drivers from engaging in interstate commerce, requiring them to be at least 21 years old. Many argue that this restriction has been a contributing factor to the ongoing shortage of qualified drivers.
State Sen. William Rothman (R-Perry County) emphasized the importance of the trucking industry to the nation's economy and the necessity of revising these outdated restrictions.
“We have well-trained CDL drivers who are safely and successfully driving across Pennsylvania, from Erie to Philadelphia and back – but are prohibited from driving the same truck with the same load across the state line,” Rothman stated. He highlighted that lifting the restriction at the federal level could grow the workforce, stabilize the supply chain and reduce costs for consumers.
Addressing the Driver Shortage
According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the trucking industry faces a shortage of just over 80,000 qualified drivers, a number that is expected to rise to 1.2 million over the next decade. Allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to drive interstate could significantly mitigate this shortfall by broadening the pool of eligible drivers. This change would also provide younger individuals with earlier access to career opportunities, enabling them to establish themselves in the industry and secure stable, well-paying jobs.
Fleet Safety Implications
With the increase of retiring baby boomers paired with this expansion of the eligible driver pool to include younger, less experienced drivers, it becomes increasingly important to understand the common behaviors of this age group and implement strategies that target dangerous trends.
SambaSafety's 2024 Driver Risk Report analyzes over 40 million motor vehicle records (MVRs) from 2020 to 2023. The chart below highlights how driving risks differ by age, offering insights to develop targeted training programs based on violations and behaviors for each group.
Our findings uncover that drivers aged 18 to 25 have the second-highest violation rate, accounting for 25.2% of total observed violations, with speeding being the most common. The data highlights the need for intentional programs focusing on speed management and other trending behaviors. This is where a comprehensive driver monitoring and training program comes into play.
Driver Monitoring: Continuous driver monitoring of records, behavior and compliance can help identify potential risks early on – before an incident occurs. Ongoing alerts for violations and unsafe practices allow for immediate corrective actions, ensuring that drivers maintain high safety standards.
Driver Training: Comprehensive training programs tailored to new and younger drivers are proven to enhance their skills and confidence. Training should cover defensive driving techniques, understanding of regulations and best practices for safe vehicle operation. Regular refresher courses can also help drivers stay updated with the latest safety protocols and industry standards.
Discover Strategies for Identifying and Mitigate Risk
The approval to lift CDL age restrictions for 18- to 20-year-olds marks a significant step towards addressing the driver shortage and enhancing the trucking industry's capacity. However, it also underscores the need for critical driver monitoring and training programs to ensure that these new, greener drivers are equipped to make safe and confident decisions behind the wheel.
To learn more about the importance of an end-to-end driver risk management program, check out our guide, Knowing Isn’t Fixing: Proactive Intervention Tactics for Addressing Driver Risk.
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