Highway Bill Makes Final Ruling in Teen Trucker Debate
by Jana Ritter - Published: 12/02/2015After recent debate about legalizing teen truckers, the matter has been decided. On Tuesday lawmakers announced the $305 billion highway bill, which includes a provision stating that the minimum age of truck drivers on interstate trips will be lowered from 21 to 18 years of age but only for veterans, current military members and reservists. The ruling has basically squashed the earlier proposal to lower the minimum age of all interstate truck drivers in a pilot program, which had been previously approved by the House and Senate.
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The initial proposal to lower the minimum age of truck drivers was included in earlier appropriations bills and although they were approved by the House and Senate, the issue sparked a debate between trucking companies and safety advocate groups that heated up in recent weeks before the December 4th highway funding deadline. While those in favor of lowering the minimum age argued that it would help to address the driver shortage that many trucking companies have said is hampering business, safety groups were more concerned about the public safety risk imposed by putting teen truck drivers on the road and they are overall pleased with the lawmakers decision. "By restricting the three-year teen trucker pilot program to veterans and servicemen above the age of 18, Congress greatly restricted the amount of higher-risk drivers that would be allowed to drive trucks across state lines," said Truck Safety Coalition Executive Director, John Lannen.
Those in favor of lowering the minimum age had also argued that this amendment would strike a limited pilot program that is currently authorizing drivers over 19 1/2 to enter into a graduated program to obtain a commercial driver's license. Rep. Sam Graves had voiced this argument in October and also brought up another contradiction in the current laws. "What's interesting about the way present law is written is that a driver that's over the age that's being discussed here can drive all the way across the state of Missouri, for instance, but they can't drive 10 miles in the city of Kansas City because it's across state lines. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense and it actually hampers a whole lot of business out there," said Graves.
ATA President and former Kansas Gov., Bill Graves, said he is both pleased and disappointed by the provisions of Tuesday’s highway bill. “It’s good news that Congress has created an opportunity for young veterans to transition to the trucking industry. We are, however, disappointed that qualified, young, non-military CDL holders cannot have the same opportunity because we believe it is illogical to allow these younger drivers to operate in intrastate commerce in each of the 48 contiguous states, but not let them cross state borders. It is puzzling why Congress would dispense with language from both chambers that was very similar in many respects in favor of a provision that was so starkly different,” explained Graves.
Ya cause all you big straps were never rookies at one time. See guys in their late 20s and 30s can't drive to save their own ass. 18 or 21 ain't a lot of difference especially with the fast food style drivers training they get. Need to worry more about the level of training they get and less about their age.
Bull shit I got that fast food training but took it serious. Your talking about putting a bunch of kids on the road who will not be able to handle being away from their friends boyfriend or girlfriend for weeks at a time so what are they going to be doing texting or talking on the phone all the time not paying attention to the road. Thank god many trucks are governed
I was 18 when I started driving. But what do I know
Adults do that too, you must not drive a whole lot or you don't pay attention. Sue
I'm 20 and own 2 Petes and a KW. I must be doing something wrong because I'm young.
Keep trucking Dusty! Young guns starting young make better drivers. I'm 28 with 10 years in so they can hate all they want. Better than these middle aged super truckers that failed at everything else so decided to give driving a shot.
You are correct !
Statistics don't lie. 16 to 21 year olds are involved in more accidents than anyone on the roadways.
Sue Domenico you can see state troopers texting while driving, too. Unfortunately, there is no way to ascertain the maturity level of the young driver. I know some young guys that would be good behind the wheel going interstate. The majority of the younger ones I know I wouldn't trust to drive a Tonka Toy truck.
Hey you can't buy beer but you can drive a semi!!
When you're 18 you fly fighter planes and drive tanks and die for your country but not drive a semi!? Don't make much sense to me...
Got my cdl at 19 so you act like something changed john? The topic is the age about going outta state not how young you can drive
Randy, I'd bet my years salary that not one 18 year old Flys a fighter jet, but I do see your point.
Randy show me an 18 y/o Capt.
Even though I have no objection to 18 years olds driving interstate ! As they already can drive intrastate and in TX or CA or AK they can probably run more miles than a lot of interstate 21 and up drivers now ! The fact that the are going to let young VETERANS drive is good !!! As that was my argument ! If they could fight and DIE to protect this country !! I damn well thought they could drive a truck !!
A young 18 year old vet went into the service whe they were how old? 14?
Pam Pam Spencer if you will stop and use your brain instead of ? A lot of young guys got shot or injured in different engagements in different countries and are either put back active or some take discharge or reserves ! So good day !
Ok. I get that. But I would think that not too many people would qualify. Isn't min age for military 18? Just seemed that most would get out after they were 21.
I sure would trust a 21 year old vet a lot quicker than most kids that age.
One of the issues I see is most kids have no heavy industrial experience or training. MOST.
What concerns me is for far too many years we are being lead by people only concerned with profit who know or care little about anything but maximizing their profit, minimizing their cost and have little idea what it takes to get the job done safely and correctly. For far too many years the bennifits of apprentiship and teaching safe practices have been ignored and the results are what we have today. They have little concern or realize the bennifits and profits they loose by improperly trained workers. Bad with words but I hope ya get my meaning. Took my 6 years to get a seat and it was the seat no one else wanted cause it was a beat piece of ______. If you could drive it you could drive anything.
No trophies for showing up. No coddling the whiners. It was 6 yrs of boot camp and if you didn't like it don't let the gate hit you in the ass on the way out.
SO PUT THE ILLEGAL EMPLOYERS IN JAIL. Don't blame the immigrant for trying to make a better life. BLAME THE LIZZARD BOSS FOR CUTTING OUR THROATS. WITH THEM. Most immigrants I see are hard working HONEST good people. I CANT SAY THAT ABOUT BOSSES THOUGH.
Why did you go there?
Phil show me your budget and you'll show me your values. I'm the first to stand up for the vets. Perhaps you should take your concerns to the chicken hawlks that vote for wars for profit and don't vote to clean up the carnage unless they can stuff millions in their pockets with it. But they can't get it from government programs so the Vets Rott.
Pam Spencer I don't know you and from some of your thoughts probably don't want to know you ! BUT LETS GET DOWN TO BASICS AND THIS GO'S FOR ANY OF THE REST THAT HAVE OBJECTIONS TO 18 YEAR OLD'S DRIVING ! A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE GROW UP WORKING SOME ON FARMS OTHERS DOING ALL KINDS OF JOBS ! AND BY THE TIME THEY ARE 18 THEY ARE MORE OF AN ADULT THAN SOME OF YOU ARE FROM YOUR COMMENTS ! SOME BY THE AGE OF 8 CAN DRIVE A TRACTOR OR COMBINE OTHERS WORKING IN FACTORIES CAN OPERATE FORK LIFTS AND YARD DOGS AND CRAINS ! LIKE I SAID I DONT KNOW YOU BUT IF YOU HAD KIDS AND RAISED THEM SO THAT THEY WERE IMMATURE AT 18 WELL THEN THATS YOUR FAULT ! AS I AND BOTH OF MY CHILDREN WHERE MATURE AND READY TO TAKE ON BEING A ADULT BY THAT AGE ! MY SON DROVE INTRASTATE ( so did I a long time ago ) MY DAUGHTER WENT TO COLLEGE AND LIVED ON HER OWN AT 18 !! AND WITH PROPER TRAINING I BELIEVE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY CAN DO IT TO ! AND AS TO MY CHARACTER I DONT HAVE TO PROVE MY SELF TO YOU OR ANYONE !
Why are you so rude? All I know is what I see and I see that most 18 year olds arent mature enough. But that's not the subject. My comment was That rule seemed like a joke because 90% of the people it's for will never be able to use it. THATS IT. I politely told you I didn't think about how you saw it. Despite your reference that I was thinking out my ass. Great way to start a conversation. Do you have problems being civil or just a general problem with communication? Or just go through life thinking everyone else is a moron? As far as people "like me" how in hell do you know anything about me. Good night sir and I really wish you would leave your baggage at the door.
Phil FOX NEWS BULL SHIT.
Keep voting Republican Phil it'll get worse
A whole new bunch of fresh outta high school drivers to choose from.... that will be excited to get That high paying job earning .25cpm
The government will do anything for the corporations that own them.
There goes the trucking industry hell in a basket
I'm glad to read that it is only for veterans. That gives me some confidence and some peace because I believe that our military services would have tought these young people some discipline and maturity before they get behind the wheel of a 40 ton missile.
Most veterans join at 18 and are 22 after their 4 years of service.
Did anyone even read the story it says when your 18 you can get your CDL IF your a veteran so that being said all you 18 year Olds that think this law will help you it won't unless you have served in the military..
And when are they allowed into the military? So....... I'm confused
Swift will have more drivers to wreck now. Along with CR England and Werner
Trainer at 18 1/2 Lease op at 19. Chew um up and spit um out
Yep. Werner graduates trainees faster than I can change clothes. I was a trainer with them and the ones that should have never become drivers were given their own trucks against my recommendation. One couldn't read, understand or speak English. His ability to follow directions was about as good as an alligator learning to do ballet. It is sad how these companies use drivers just to fill trucks even if it means putting others at risk
If these "kids" have grown up around trucking I'd feel better sharing the road with them than this new generation of displaced factory workers whose only prior experience with a truck was passing one on the interstate.
i hear ya man. been around it since i was born. my dad has been driving for 30+ years. my grandpa for 65+years.
Insurence companies will nail this shit in the head . Yes us old school drivers started young but we had friggin brains and none of the cell phone and electronic garbage distractions we got now
You guys that think this is ruining anything, are a bunch of fuck tards. If I live in Ohio, I can run 71,70,75,76,77,80,90 and many more, what in the fuck is the difference running 76 through PA? Running 70 into Indiana?? You're stupid as hell if you disagree with this law
Ok talk about that when you hit the north east nj, ny , ma , ct
What the fuck is the difference doing it for the first time if your 18 or 21? That's my fucking point
The difference is most 18 year olds arnt mature enough.
Doesn't mean they all aren't. Can't sit around all your life waiting for someone to tell you, you're smart enough to do something
You weren't a little more mature at 21 than 18 Aaron ? I don't necessarily disagree with the law.....if I did I'd be a hypocrite. .....cuz I started that young.......as excited as I was to drive a truck at 18 .....I don't believe I was an experienced enough driver to set loose everywhere. .......and the fact that there is alot more to driving a truck.......than just driving a truck.......Iife experience helps to develop your conduct in numerous different situations. ........Some of these younger drivers Will do great in the industry. ..... and others will bring a negativity.......I will do like always and help anyone that asks for help or advice.......which I hope many of these younger drivers do......and after 35 yrs in the industry there are still days when I need help or advice...... you asked What is the difference if they are 18 or 21.........it isn't a physical difference but more a maturity or experience difference..............this law was pushed by the Big Companies and truck lobbies......and all of us in the industry should be critical of ANYTHING they push for........because they didn't lobby for this in Washington because they like 18 yr olds.......they did it to gain access to a new group of people to put behind the wheel.....a new group that is less likely to fight back....or a new group that may work for less..... because they have less experience in the working community. ......just think if you where fresh outta school and all you could find is a job at Wal-Mart , McDonald's. ..or the local Lumber Yard....for $12- 15 an hr on the high side .........or some sweet talking recruiter gets ahold of your ear and gives you his sales pitch (which we all agree is a pretty high percent bullshit).....and then throws out the 50, 60, 70 thousand dollars a year promise......and oh by the way.....we will train you......and pay you while you learn..... and you can get earning in 4 short weeks.
I started on a harvest crew at 18, so I ran out of state legally....
I trained myself at 17 years old , never had a catastrophic crash . But given that some people just can't drive and those will be weeded out , hopefully without collateral damage !!!
That's a big hopefully 10-4?
That's to young . It will be hard for some of them to understand the responsibility of driving a vehicle that can cause so much damage . I'm sure some will do fine . I also think the same of a 21 year old ! Minimum age should be 30 ! That's my thoughts!
If you can get you're cdl at 18, I sure as fuck think they understand it!!!! Jesus Christ
Yes there is a point when older drivers should stop driving. & no at 18 some young men don't understand the responsibility. Aaron as I don't think you understand how to have a conversation without foul language! If you can't even have a conversation as a big boy ? What makes you think you can act or hold the responsibilities as a adult ?
I somewhat understand your point Doug Wellington, but let's not be ridiculous. If you weren't allowed to drive interstate until 30 there would be no drivers in short order. I would hope most people would be established in some sort of career path well before the age of 30 and at what these companies are posting you sure wouldn't be able to recruit anyone out of any other line of work. Done properly this isn't a bad idea but we all know these driver mills ain't going to do it right. I think if you paid these young child with seasoned safe drivers in a team operation for a minimum of one year it would be a good way to expand the driver pool and you could then we'd out some of the steering wheel holders but we all know that ain't how it is going to work.
Doug I saw men over 40 that can't even back up a tractor and trailer . So don't play that stupid card . I had my cdls since I was 21 and had my own bussiness since 23 . So with that said I think its STUPUD for you to say you should be 30 to get your cdls
Bryan & your probable 24 or 25 now . You go supper trucker .
you guys need to realise that even if the minimum age is 50 a green horn is a green horn! look all i can do is speak for myself, i am a 19 yr ol' 4th gen that drive log trucks and been doing it since i was 18. I travel some of the most dangerous mountain road of new brunswick i drive this rig up and down the haul roads going through mud dust ice and snow, ive always wanted to drive trucks since far as i can remember, ive reseved PROPER training , thanks to g-g-paw,g-paw, dad my uncles and all other relatives working around me, now me being canadian i am alowed to drive a truck from eastern canada to the west coast if they need me to. most teens like me that are out there are not really "new" to the trucking world its something they grew up on almost like an old farmer that pass his love for growing things to his kids, almost like its a spirit that is flowing with blood. Now in done with the spiritual bull shit, ive read the bill and here is what i think is wrong; "the minimum age of truck drivers on interstate trips will be lowered from 21 to 18 years of age but only for veterans, current military members and reservists." wtf is this ! i get it, its a way of recruiting young blood for the army.. NOT THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY. Now thats my rant for this year.
yep but they are sibling the wrong group of subjects to run the pilot program
Ooooooh SHIT. Glad I'm getting out. There's enough irresponsible kids out there now, and after 39 years I won't miss it one bit.
I feel it's most important on maturity & responsibility...There's a lot at stake when behind the wheel of the truck...
It's only for those in the military, not every 18 year old can drive
Watch them flood the career watch our wages go down
16 yr old kid caused this mess last yr. I'm not so sure I'm comfortable being on same hiway with them
isn't the driving age 18 ?
Yes it is for in state commercial driveing but not farm related,thier exampt,can be early as 15 to drive semi Jocelyn Breau
And drivers wage will just go lower now :/
Had my CDL at 18 in Florida... Could only use it intrastate till I was 21
Gonna be good for business is all I can say. Glad I drive a heavy wrecker.
It's irrelevant here in Virginia, as it's always been that way. I got mine when I was 19. Just had to wait until I was 21 for HazMat, and to be able to drive out of state.
Don't know bout yall but have u seen the majority of 18 to 24 year olds...not exactly the professional driver or professional anything...
So are they Goin to do away with the safety rating system too...this will erase it...
When I was 18 nobody wanted me in a car let alone a semi. Lol My license was revoked within a year of having them.
Anything to keep the wages down.
The Teen Brain: It's Just Not grown up yet the part of the brain that says: 'Is this a good idea? What is the consequence of this action?' " Jensen says. "It's not that they don't have a frontal lobe. And they can use it. But they're going to access it more slowly." http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124119468
Anyone notice how these kids are driving when their leash is off? ( leased/owner with a $4,000 payment with out a Qualcomm ) I have.
The fact is ........ They should start on the loading dock and work their way up. Not to say some are not mature enough but I don't think most are at that age.
They already can drive intrastate at 18 . Some of you are dumb as hell
We are screwed....10cpm here we come.
Oh god time to retire
Driver shortage
Doesn't exist
Really? Where's your data?
Nobody will hire them
Dumb dession
Pam Spencer and the rest of you that think 18 years olds can't drive ! I don't know you and from some of your thoughts probably don't want to know you ! BUT LETS GET DOWN TO BASICS AND THIS GO'S FOR ANY OF THE REST THAT HAVE OBJECTIONS TO 18 YEAR OLD'S DRIVING ! A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE GROW UP WORKING SOME ON FARMS OTHERS DOING ALL KINDS OF JOBS ! AND BY THE TIME THEY ARE 18 THEY ARE MORE OF AN ADULT THAN SOME OF YOU ARE FROM YOUR COMMENTS ! SOME BY THE AGE OF 8 CAN DRIVE A TRACTOR OR COMBINE OTHERS WORKING IN FACTORIES CAN OPERATE FORK LIFTS AND YARD DOGS AND CRAINS ! LIKE I SAID I DONT KNOW YOU BUT IF YOU HAD KIDS AND RAISED THEM SO THAT THEY WERE IMMATURE AT 18 WELL THEN THATS YOUR FAULT ! AS I AND BOTH OF MY CHILDREN WHERE MATURE AND READY TO TAKE ON BEING A ADULT BY THAT AGE ! MY SON DROVE INTRASTATE ( so did I a long time ago ) MY DAUGHTER WENT TO COLLEGE AND LIVED ON HER OWN AT 18 !! AND WITH PROPER TRAINING I BELIEVE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY CAN DO IT TO ! AND AS TO MY CHARACTER I DONT HAVE TO PROVE MY SELF TO YOU OR ANYONE !
oh crap Vern Pippin
Justin Marland
Wtf
Amazing isn't it
Ya that's all we need