FMCSA Continues Apprenticeship Efforts, Seeks More Data

The Transportation Department is barreling ahead with its efforts to get under-21 drivers behind the wheel of commercial vehicles, as evidenced by a recent Federal Register notice. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requested approval July 11 to renew an information collection request for the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot program, which allows drivers under the age of 21 to apprentice with participating trucking companies. 

This program — which was mandated in November’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — was initially announced in January as a way to expand the pool of available drivers, as the trucking industry continues to lose drivers.  

The original information request was an emergency filing that expires at the end of July. This would extend it, allowing FMCSA to continue to evaluate and monitor the performance of apprenticeship programs with participating carriers. 

Under the pilot program, young drivers would complete two probationary periods operating a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce under the supervision of an experienced driver in the passenger seat.  

The first probationary period would include at least 120 hours of on-duty time, at least 80 of which are driving time, while the second period must include at least 280 hours of on-duty time, with at least 160 hours of driving time. 

During both periods, the apprentice would be judged by the supervisor across a variety of skills and procedures, including safety awareness, turns, maneuvering in close quarters and trip planning. 

After completing the two periods, the apprentice would be able to operate interstate without a traveling supervisor. Currently, drivers under the age of 21 are only allowed to drive intrastate.