A high school in Washington state is requesting permission from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to allow its 17-year-old students to earn and obtain a commercial learner’s permit.
Connell High School asked for an exemption in a notice that was published in the Federal Register on Friday, May 17. The exemption, proposed to start in September, would enable students under 18 enrolled in the school’s CDL program to acquire a learner’s permit at 17. These students would then complete 180 hours of classroom, field, and drive-time instruction before earning a CDL at 18.
Under current regulations, commercial drivers can start operating intrastate at 18, but interstate truckers must be at least 21.
The exemption request highlights that Connell High School, which serves about 600 students—70% of whom are minorities and economically disadvantaged—operates within a largely agricultural community spread across four rural towns. The school is arguing that having more CDL drivers qualified at a younger age would boost the economy overall.
“CHS believes that granting the exemption will allow students to obtain a CDL at 18 years of age and, upon graduation from CHS, immediately enter the local workforce with stable, well-paying employment,” the agency wrote. “CHS also believes that the exemption could have a positive impact on the local communities and alleviate the current commercial driver shortage.”
The program would last for two semesters.
Connell High School also pointed out that similar programs in Maine allow students as young as 16 to obtain a commercial learner’s permit.
Despite citing a “driver shortage” as a justification for the exemption, numerous organizations have challenged this claim. Additionally, a pilot program for drivers under 21 has seen limited participation.
FMCSA has opened a 30-day public comment period on the exemption request. Comments on Connell High School’s exemption request can be submitted at Regulations.gov under Docket No. FMCSA-2024-0092.
Source: Land Line
