FMCSA announced 90-day trucking apprenticeship challenge

More than 100 companies have decided to implement the federal government’s plan to create training courses for young truckers. However, opinions among industry representatives still differ.

Last week, FMCSA took the first step in establishing the program by requesting emergency approval for an information collection request from the White House Office of Management and Budget. Once approved, FMCSA will seek OMB approval for the full three-year period.

Once the program іs realized, the FMCSA will post an announcement on its website that applications are open for the program. No more than 3,000 students will be allowed to participate in the pilot program at any one time, and the FMCSA estimates that no more than 1,000 vehicles will be required to recruit pilot program participants.

Eligible carriers will be required to provide monthly data on learner driver activity, safety performance and any additional supporting information such as from on-board monitoring systems.

The Next Generation in Trucking Association is in favor of the Drive-SAFE Act: “We support proper training of 18-20 year olds who are good fits to be truck drivers and will have long, safe careers in the trucking industry.”

However, some in the industry think this is a bad idea.

Angela Andrews: “This idea will get people killed. We already have catastrophic accidents being perpetrated by older experienced drivers. What is going to happen when you send these kids out on the road with these huge heavy vehicles? This is not going to help. It’s going to be a disaster. And your names will forever be associated with it.”