IWLA-Backed Coalition Sends Letter in Support of DRIVE Safe Act

Members of the DRIVE Safe Act Coalition, including IWLA, sent a support letter to leaders of the Senate Commerce and House Transportation & Infrastructure Committees calling for the bill’s (S. 659/H.R. 1745) inclusion in the forthcoming infrastructure package.

The bill would create a path for drivers under 21 to obtain an interstate commercial driver’s license through an apprenticeship program that requires driver apprentices to complete two probationary periods that include 400 hours of on-duty time and 240 hours of driving time with an experienced driver in the cab.

Over 100 organizations and companies signed the Coalition’s letter, including the American Trucking Associations, the International Foodservice Distributors Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The legislation has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and would help the U.S. supply chain by helping address the nation’s current driver shortage. The letter points out that the deficit of commercial drivers needed is expected to be 160,000 by 2028, which will lead to higher transportation costs for supply chain companies and increased prices on goods for end consumers.

To become an IWLA member visit, http://31y.93c.myftpupload.com/become-an-iwla-member/