Amidst the driver shortage in the last few years, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has recently released a new rule allowing young truckers of ages 18 and above to participate in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot program.

The program, which was initially meant only for drivers aged 21 and above, allows young people to take advantage of the shared driving experience between individuals who hold CDLs and passengers under 21.

By taking part in this program, these new drivers can get experience for safe driving while at the same time building confidence behind the wheel.

This rule was implemented following the Report on the Feasibility of a Mentor-based Driving Program, which found that there are limited or no other options for training drivers under 21 years old.

The program is designed to encourage promotion from within the industry by allowing people with less experience to gain safe driving experience and tap into opportunities for increased responsibility. The program has been in effect since September 2020 and will hopefully encourage more teenagers to enter the driving profession while also reducing the number of accidents caused by young drivers.

Safety Concerns for Young Truckers

Although there has been excellent support for the new rule, other people are also more reserved.

One of the biggest concerns is that this program will have an impact on road safety, allowing young drivers to get involved in accidents. Critics fear that because these new drivers might lack the proper skills to drive more giant trucks, they could become dangerous on American highways.

According to the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), their studies confirm that accidents involving drivers under 21 are much higher.

The ATA also raised their concern for the trucking companies as this will require greater responsibility and liability, thus additional costs and financial burdens.

The FMCSA, on the other hand, says that they will be able to improve the safety of America’s highways by giving young people a chance to participate in this program.