DRIVE-SAFE Apprenticeship Act

Summary#

This bill creates a federal apprenticeship program that lets people under 21 drive commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce while they train. The program has two required phases: a 120-hour probationary period (at least 80 hours driving) and a 280-hour probationary period (at least 160 hours driving). Employers must evaluate apprentices on specific driving and safety skills during each phase and keep records. Apprentices must drive vehicles with automatic or automatic-manual transmissions, active braking collision mitigation systems, and forward-facing video event capture. An experienced driver must ride in the cab with the apprentice. If an apprentice has a preventable, reportable accident or a pointed moving violation, the apprentice must get extra training and remediation. The Secretary of Transportation must issue regulations within one year to implement the program. Employers may not knowingly allow drivers under 21 to operate in interstate commerce unless they are in or have completed this apprenticeship program.

What it means for you#

  • Young drivers: If you are under 21 and have a commercial driver’s license, you could drive in interstate commerce only while enrolled in and completing the apprenticeship steps and supervised rides.
  • Employers: You must run or participate in a program that meets the training hours, vehicle technology, supervision, recordkeeping, and remediation requirements before allowing an under-21 employee to drive interstate.
  • Experienced drivers: Drivers who accompany apprentices must meet the bill’s experience, age, and safety record requirements.
  • General public: The bill sets training and equipment requirements intended to govern how younger commercial drivers are supervised on interstate routes.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on estimated costs or budget effects. The bill requires certain vehicle technologies and recordkeeping, but it does not include cost estimates or funding details.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.