IIHS Urges Caution Regarding Young Truck Drivers

July 19, 2019
More research into the crash risk of truck drivers under age 21 should be conducted before allowing them to drive between states, IIHS said in a recent statement.

July 19, 2019—More research into the crash risk of truck drivers under age 21 should be conducted before allowing them to drive between states, IIHS said in a recent regulatory comment.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requested comments on a possible pilot program to allow 18- to 20-year-old drivers to operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. Such drivers can already operate commercial vehicles within state lines.

The agency is currently running a pilot program to allow 18- to 20-year-old drivers with experience driving trucks in the military to operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. FMCSA should wait for the results of that pilot before implementing a broader one for drivers without military experience, IIHS Senior Statistician Eric Teoh wrote in the comment.

If the second pilot program goes forward, FMSCA will likely require participants to demonstrate substantial experience driving trucks within state boundaries, along with a clean driving record, Teoh noted.

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