The DRIVE-Safe Act

About the DRIVE-Safe Act

The country is facing a massive truck driver shortage that’s increasing the costs of consumer goods and hurting the economy. As the need for freight transportation grows, estimates from the ATA show trucking companies will need to hire an additional 890,000 drivers over the next decade. According to an industry analysis by DAT Solutions, just one truck was available for every 12 loads needing to be shipped at the start of 2018, which is the lowest ratio since 2005. 

On February 26, bipartisan lawmakers in the Senate and House introduced legislation to address the urgent shortage of truck drivers affecting the movement and cost of our nation’s commerce. Sponsored by Senators Todd Young, R-IN, Jon Tester, D-MT, Senator Tom Cotton, R-AR, Angus King, I-ME, Jim Inhofe, R-OK, Joe Manchin, D-WV, Senator Jerry Moran, R-KS, and Representatives Trey Hollingsworth, R-IN, Jim Cooper, D-TN, Henry Cuellar, D-TX, Al Green, D-TX, Sheila Jackson Lee, D-TX, Paul Mitchell, R-MI, and Bruce Westerman, R-AR, the DRIVE-Safe Act modernizes federal law to empower the trucking industry to fill these gaps with a qualified, highly trained emerging workforce.

The DRIVE-Safe Act has two prongs: It removes antiquated age restrictions on interstate transportation by licensed commercial drivers, and strengthens safety-training standards across the industry. Young adults become eligible to seek commercial driver’s licenses at age 18 in most states; however, federal law currently prohibits commercially licensed adults from driving across state lines before age 21. This outdated prohibition bars the trucking industry from fully utilizing their complete workforce at a time when the country is facing a massive driver shortage and growing demand for freight transportation – estimates show trucking companies will need nearly 900,000 additional drivers over the next decade. The growing shortage is affecting the transportation and cost of goods for all consumers, as plants lack timely transportation for manufactured products, shipping is delayed, and current drivers are strained.

Formally named the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act, DRIVE-Safe enhances safety and training standards for newly qualified and current drivers. Under the legislation, once a driver qualifies for a commercial driver’s license, they begin a two-step additional training program with rigorous performance benchmarks. Drivers must complete at least 400 hours of on-duty time and 240 hours of driving time in the cab with an experienced driver. Every driver will train on trucks equipped with new safety technology including active braking collision mitigation systems, video event capture, and a speed governor of 65 miles per hour or below. 
 

DRIVE-Safe Media Coverage

• American Trucking Associations: ATA Statement on Flaws in Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Driver Shortage Article
• American Trucking Associations: DRIVE-Safe Act Bullets and Background
• Washington Examiner: Solving the truck driver shortage
• Heavy Duty Trucking: Coalition of trade groups throw support behind younger truck driver bill
• Circa: The U.S. desperately needs more truck drivers. And the industry's pain could hit your wallet.
• Timberline: American Trucking Associations applauds bipartisan support of DRIVE-Safe Act aimed at easing the nation's truck driver shortage
• Strategic Sourceror: Colorado takes major step toward resolving trucker shortage
• Huron Daily Tribune: Young truckers in high demand
• LMT Online: Young truckers in high demand
• Casper Star Tribune: US Senate bill would lower age for interstate commercial truck drivers to 18
• Missoulian: US Senate bill would lower age for interstate commercial truck drivers to 18
• Clarion Ledger: Time to let 18-21 year olds take full advantage of trucking industry
• The Hill: Trucking: A gateway to economic prosperity
• WGME: Sen. King supports bill targeting truck driver shortage
• Food Logistics: Congress Introduces Bipartisan Plan to Address Driver Shortage
• DC Velocity: Industry praises renewed government efforts to address truck driver shortage
• ABC News 57: Senators introduce legislation that could address truck driver shortage, local trucking company weary of proposal
• Transport Topics: Young drivers discuss industry image, recruitment tips
• Food Logistics: Congress Introduces Bipartisan Plan to Address Driver Shortage
• Erie News: Curtze hopes teenager drivers can help solve truck shortage
• ​Business Insider: Walmart's company truck drivers are among the best-treated in the industry — and they're getting a pay raise next month
• SuperMarket News: Walmart boosts its truck driver ranks
• Today Show: Why America’s truck driver shortage could impact deliveries
• ABC News: Trucking companies looking to put drivers behind the wheel
• SuperMarket News: Shortage of truck drivers lifts grocery prices
• Freight Waves: How the DRIVE-Safe Act could impact the driver shortage
• Richmond-Times Dispatch: Abigail Olson column: One big roadblock to my chosen career
• ​​Senators Introduce DRIVE-Safe Act to Expand Career Opportunities in Trucking Industry
• DRIVE-Safe Act Introduced in the U.S. Senate
• ​Fox Business: Long wait for new big rigs causes shipping headaches
• The Motley Fool: How can America solve its truck driver shortage
• Houston Chronicle: Now hiring: Companies struggling with the truck driver shortage
• Houston Chronicle: Truck driver shortage constrains booming Texas oil fields, U.S. economy
• Fleet Owner: Senate bill would allow younger truckers to obtain CDL
• Washington Examiner: Young veterans face pushback in efforts to drive trucks
• Rep. Hollingsworth Media Event: Hollingsworth Hosts Press Conference on Truck Driver Shortage, DRIVE-Safe Act
• CNBC:  Here are the high-paying jobs going empty right now
• The Washington Post: Lawmakers: Let 18- to 21-year olds drive 18-wheelers across the country
• The Hill: Congress needs to act on a plan to keep the foodservice distribution industry trucking - safely
• Freight Waves: Two controversial approaches to “solving” the scarcity of commercially-licensed drivers
• The Press-Enterprise: (Hunter’s Op-Ed) Driving American trucking job opportunities forward
• Total FoodService: Lawmakers Introduce the DRIVE-Safe Act
• Transportation Today: Associations support DRIVE Safe Act
• Go By Truck News: Drive Safe Act aims to let CMV drivers cross state lines before age 21
• Truck News: U.S. bill would allow 18-year-old truck drivers
• Meat+Poultry: DRIVE-Safe Act to permit interstate driving for young CDL holders 
• HDT (Heavy Duty Trucking): Bill would create pathway for under-21 truck drivers
• FSR: Lawmakers introduce the DRIVE-Safe Act to address driver shortage 
• FleetOwner: Legislation would allow 18 to 21-year-olds to drive interstate 
• Transport Topics: House Bill would allow interstate trucking for 18-to-21-year-olds