The U.S. Congress recently approved a resolution lifting commercial driver’s license (CDL) restrictions for 18- to 20-year-olds.
Removing the restriction would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to participate in interstate commerce and broaden the pool of qualified drivers.
Nearly every state, plus the District of Columbia, allows CDL holders ages 18 to 20 to operate commercial motor vehicles in intrastate commerce. Current federal regulations require CDL drivers to be at least 21 to participate in interstate commerce.
“The trucking industry is vital to the economy of our nation, our region, and our commonwealth,” state Sen. William Rothman (R-Perry County) 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.
“Making this change at the federal level would grow our workforce, help the economy, stabilize the supply chain, and bring down the cost of goods for consumers.”
There is a shortage of nearly 78,000 qualified commercially licensed drivers nationwide, which is forecasted to rise to 1.2 million over the next decade.