A resolution recently introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate urges the U.S. Congress to lift restrictions on 18- to 20-year-olds who hold a Commercial Driver Licenses (CDLs). Lifting the restrictions would allow them to transport goods across state lines.
Current federal regulations limit interstate commerce to CDL drivers 21 years old and older.
“The trucking industry is vital to the economy of our nation, our region, and our commonwealth,” state Sen. Greg Rothman (R-Perry County) introduced the resolution, said. “We have well trained CDL drivers who are safely and successfully driving across Pennsylvania, from Erie to Philadelphia and back–but are prohibited from driving the same truck with the same load across the state line. The current restrictions are arbitrary and are contributing to driver shortages, shipping delays, and higher prices for consumers.”
In the United States, there is a shortage of nearly 78,000 qualified commercially licensed drivers. This is estimated to rise to 1.2 million over the next decade. By removing the restriction, the pool of qualified drivers would expand, helping to alleviate the driver shortage.
In Washington, D.C., and 49 states, including Pennsylvania, CDL holders between 18 and 20 years old are permitted to operate commercial motor vehicles for intrastate commerce.