FMCSA proposes reduced age limit for commercial motor vehicle use

Qualified drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 will be allowed to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce under a proposed federal pilot program that would reduce the current age limit, the government said Friday.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said it had proposed the program as required by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, a five-year, $305 billion surface transportation infrastructure funding bill signed by President Obama in 2015.

Currently, commercial drivers under the age of 21 cannot drive across state lines, although they can operate within the boundaries of their state of residence.

Under the three-year pilot program, a limited number of individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 would be allowed to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce if they have received specified heavy-vehicle driver training while in military service and are sponsored by a participating motor carrier.

FMCSA, a subagency of the Department of Transportation, is now seeking public input about the program itself, as well as its proposed criteria for a working group to consult on conducting, monitoring, and evaluating the program. Comments will be accepted over the next 30 days.