Learn All About the Trucker Pilot Program for Teens

by Tyler Hall, Esq.

New Law May Increase the Amount of Teenage Truck Drivers

On average, new truck drivers first start their training at the age of 35. However, the shortage of qualified truck drivers has led some manufacturers to start trying to appeal to a younger crowd. In the future, there may be more teenagers behind the wheels of big rigs.

New Apprenticeship Program Allows Younger Truck Drivers

When it comes to age, the laws regarding truckers vary quite a bit. The federal government does not allow truckers who are under 21 to cross state lines, so most long-haul truckers are at least 21. However, state governments are allowed to set their own limits. Therefore, many regions give commercial driver licenses to anyone who is 18 or over. These teenage truck drivers could usually only drive within their home states. However, a new program created by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) seeks to create a more standardized set of rules.

The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program seeks to allow more people to drive interstate semitrucks. Despite concerns about younger drivers getting in more accidents, the FMCSA hopes to relax regulations and provide much-needed drivers for the understaffed industry. Under the new program, anyone who is at least 18 years of age and has a commercial driver’s license issued from his or her home state may be able to drive a truck across state borders. The program specifies that these younger drivers will need experienced drivers to closely supervise them.

The program was first suggested back in 2020. However, it was not legalized at the time. This rule only became official when it was included as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law in November 2021. At this time, it is not a new official guideline. Instead, the law only authorizes a pilot program. The program will require authorities to strictly monitor the apprenticeship program to see how it affects traffic safety. Depending on the outcome of the pilot program, younger truck drivers may be allowed or outlawed in the future.

Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program Will Have Strict Rules

Keep in mind that this new law will not be allowing a bunch of unsupervised teenagers on the road. Though there are plenty of valid concerns about letting younger truck drivers on the road, it may reassure you to learn that there will be plenty of safeguards in place. First, only specific drivers are allowed in the program. The only eligible teenagers will be those who are at least 18, have already passed tests for commercial driving and have clean driving records.

Furthermore, they will be closely supervised and limited to working only with specific types of equipment. These teens will only be permitted to drive trucks with a single trailer, and they cannot drive trucks transporting hazardous materials. Any driver under 21 can only drive a truck with automatic emergency braking, speed limiters that don’t let them go over 65 miles an hour and forward-facing video cameras. During any trip that crosses state lines, they must be supervised by someone who is at least 26 and has at least five years of semitruck driving experience. This trainer cannot have been in an accident or gotten a ticket in the two years before they start training.

Supporters of the Plan Hope It Provides More Qualified Workers

The whole reason for this program is the drastic shortage of qualified truck drivers. Thanks to the increase in online shopping, more and more truckers are needed, yet many experienced drivers are retiring. Last October, the American Trucking Associations said that they needed at least 80,000 more drivers to fulfill demands.

This driver shortage has caused all sorts of issues. Individuals were frequently pressured to drive longer shifts or work more hours, which can lead to all sorts of mistakes. Furthermore, many truck drivers have turned to substance abuse to handle the stress. Crash data indicates that fatal truck accidents have increased by roughly 12%, and fatigue and substance abuse were some of the leading causes of trucking accidents.

Due to these issues, many organizations like the American Trucking Associations, the Truckload Carriers Association and the Commercial Vehicle Training Association have spoken out in support of the pilot program. They hope that the program will allow more properly trained drivers on the road. This increase in new drivers could take some of the stress off the currently overworked drivers, potentially increasing road safety for everyone.

Opponents of the Plan Worry About Risky Driving

Despite plenty of support from some associations, other people are more cautious. Groups like the National Transportation Safety Board and the Truck Safety Coalition have expressed concern about the new program. Their main issue is that younger drivers tend to be involved in more accidents.

Truck drivers who are younger than 21 come with many risks. Of course, one of the main issues is simply that they have less experience. Another issue is that young drivers are more easily distracted and likelier to make poor decisions. Overall, this can be a recipe for disaster when a teenage driver is put in control of an 80,000-pound vehicle. Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicate that truck drivers who are younger than 21 are 500% more likely to be involved in a truck accident that causes injuries.

Opponents of the new program point out that young drivers used to be limited to short drives between nearby cities. Since the new program specifically does not set any rules about how long young drivers can travel, it may lead to inexperienced individuals taking lengthy shifts and attempting to drive across the country. This could expose more drivers to risk and possibly make semitruck accidents more likely to happen. Therefore, opponents of the bill are asking the Transportation Secretary to terminate the program if any fatalities or serious injuries result.

There’s No Easy Solution to Stop Trucking Accidents

Unfortunately, as trucking accident lawyers explain, there is no quick and easy law that can entirely stop truck crashes. The new Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program shows that even new programs meant to address some of the causes of truck accidents can end up causing other problems. Semitrucks are incredibly dangerous pieces of equipment, and it takes years of education to be able to drive one safely.

Furthermore, even if the driver handles everything perfectly, things like unsafe road conditions or faulty parts can end up causing an accident. Though the right regulations help make the road safer for everyone, mistakes and accidents can still result in a truck crash. If you or a loved one has been harmed in a trucking accident, there is a possibility for compensation. In situations in which an accident is due to someone breaking a road safety guideline or failing to exercise reasonable caution, it can be possible to obtain compensation for your injuries.

In these sorts of situations, RAM Law is here to help. Our team of New Jersey trucking accident lawyers can analyze your situation and help you figure out whether a lawsuit is a good idea. If you would like to arrange a consultation, we have law offices conveniently located in New Brunswick, Somerville and Freehold. Email us or call (732) 394-1549 to learn more.