The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has opened a public comment period on a request submitted by the American Trucking Associations that would allow certain motor carriers to continue onboarding under-21 drivers for interstate hauling. The request applies only to carriers that previously participated in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot program.

Background on the apprenticeship program

The Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot, commonly referred to as SDAP, allowed select motor carriers to train and employ drivers between the ages of 18 and 20 in interstate commerce under specific supervision and safety requirements. The program officially ended on Nov. 7, 2025.

With the pilot now expired, ATA is asking FMCSA to permit participating carriers to continue onboarding and training under-21 drivers for interstate operations rather than reverting immediately to the long-standing age restriction.

ATA cites safety performance data

In its request to FMCSA, ATA pointed to data collected during the pilot program to support its position. According to ATA, quarterly reports from SDAP showed encouraging safety results.

The association said the program’s quarterly reports “demonstrate positive safety outcomes, including millions of miles driven by program participants without reportable crashes.”

ATA also argued that allowing participating carriers to continue the practice would not create significant new challenges for regulators or the industry.

The group said it believes that continuing to allow carriers to onboard under-21 drivers for interstate operations would create minimal administrative burdens for FMCSA or participating motor carriers.

What the request would allow

If approved, the request would apply only to motor carriers that previously took part in the SDAP program. Those carriers would be able to continue onboarding and training drivers ages 18 to 20 for interstate trucking, even though the formal pilot program has ended.

The request does not propose opening interstate operations to all under-21 drivers or carriers that did not participate in the pilot.

Public comment period now open

FMCSA is now seeking public feedback on ATA’s request. Drivers, carriers, safety advocates, and other stakeholders can submit comments as part of the agency’s review process.

The comment period is open here through Feb. 27.

FMCSA will review submitted comments before determining whether to grant, deny, or modify the request. The decision could influence how the industry addresses driver pipeline challenges while balancing safety considerations for interstate trucking operations.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post FMCSA Opens Public Comment on ATA Request to Continue Under-21 Interstate Driving appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Currently, federal rules require drivers to be 21 or older to haul interstate, while 18-year-olds can drive intrastate with a “K” restriction on their CDLs. This restriction has caused confusion and citations for U.S. Custom Harvesters’ younger drivers, even though they have been legally permitted to travel between states to cut crops.

“U.S. Custom Harvesters told the agency that the exemption ‘has provided custom harvesting businesses with much-needed employees and drivers and has directly contributed to the development of quality, responsible truck drivers for America’s highways.’”

Previously, the company had a two-year provisional exemption that expired on October 3, 2025. FMCSA has now extended the exemption for five years, allowing drivers under 21 to continue crossing state lines through October 3, 2030.
“FMCSA is not aware of any evidence showing that the exemption has resulted in any degradation in safety,” the agency wrote. “Interstate operations for custom harvester drivers younger than 21 have been allowed since 1971 … FMCSA reviewed crash and inspection data of drivers who have operated under the 2018 exemption. FMCSA does not have information to conclude that the 2018 exemption and subsequent renewal resulted in a degradation of safety. FMCSA concludes that renewing the exemption for five years will likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be achieved without the exemption …”

This ruling ensures that young drivers who are gaining experience in custom harvesting operations can continue contributing to the agriculture industry while operating safely across multiple states, benefiting farmers, trucking companies, and the drivers themselves.

Source: Land Line Media

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