IWLA Comments on FMCSA’s Young Driver Pilot Notice

IWLA joined the DRIVE Safe Coalition in commenting on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) emergency request for approval to collect information for a young driver apprenticeship program.

The pilot program largely mirrors the program outlined in S.659 and H.R.1745, the DRIVE Safe Act, and permits 18 to 20 year old commercially licensed drivers to operate in interstate commerce following their participation in a rigorous 400-hour apprenticeship. The pilot program is authorized to operate for 3 years and will allow up to 3,000 apprentices to participate at any given time.

Currently, 18 to 20 year old drivers may obtain a commercial driver’s license in each of the 48 contiguous states, but federal law prevents them from driving across state lines or transporting interstate goods. The pilot will allow DOT officials to collect data on young drivers operating in interstate commerce and provide advocates of the DRIVE Safe Act with the data necessary to push for full passage of the bill.

The DRIVE Safe Coalition commenters expressed their strong support for the pilot program but took issue with reporting requirements submitted in FMCSA’s emergency request that the Coalition deemed unnecessarily burdensome. The Coalition believes the administrative burden might inhibit participation in the program.

IWLA and other commenters called on FMCSA to implement data requirements that are identical to those in the statutory provisions of the DRIVE Safe Act and to only include elements of data collection that are essential to evaluating the safety of the pilot program. To read the comments in full, please click here.

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