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 This outdated prohibition bars the trucking industry from fully utilizing their complete workforce at a time when the country is facing a massive driver shortage and growing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



Write Your Legislator in Support of the

DRIVE-Safe Act

Send a letter to your Representatives and Senators asking them to support this vital legislation. You can easily send a letter directly from the IFDA website by clicking here. 

DRIVE-Safe Coalition

Nearly 70 trade organizations recently sent a letter to the House and Senate in support of the DRIVE-Safe Act.
 

Resources


DRIVE-Safe Toolkit
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Social Media Image
Format: jpg
Size: 440  x 440 pixels, 72 dpi
Download: Right click on image
and select "Save Image As"

Social Media Image
Format: jpg
Size: 440 x 440 pixels, 72 dpi
Download: Right click on image and
select "Save Image As"


One Page Flyer
Format: pdf
Download: Click on image, right click on flyer
and select "Save Page As"