BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Teen truckers? Some hope new rule could ease driver shortage

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

(NewsNation Now) — The supply chain crisis has been felt and documented. While there are myriad reasons for an out-of-whack supply and demand balance, one of the issues that’s gotten the most attention is a shortage of truck drivers. A somewhat unsung part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill aims to fix it.

The bill creates truck driver apprenticeships for people as young as 18. Presently, only adults 21 or older can drive a commercial truck across state lines, but some are calling for that to change, too.

“What we’re talking about is really arbitrary,” Fleet Force President Tra Williams said Wednesday on NewsNation’s “On Balance with Leland Vittert.”

Adults 18 and older can already get their Class A trucking license and drive intrastate, but not interstate.

“Someone could drive from Jacksonville to Orlando, but they can’t drive from Jacksonville to Savannah, which is the exact same distance,” Williams said.

Williams believes anyone who can vote for president or sign up for the military should be able to drive a truck between different states, but not everyone is convinced it’s the right thing to do.

“I don’t think at 18 they’re mentally prepared,” said Pamela Day, the owner of Trucking Trainer, Inc.

She highlighted concerns about safety, which she says are stressed in driving lessons. But Williams argued an older, “complacent” truck driver is more likely to get in an accident.

Williams is also skeptical insurance companies will work with trucking companies to bring younger drivers into the fold.

It’s too early to measure the real-world change this program will make, though Day says there are several 18-year-olds in her school already. She also said recruiting more female drivers would also help bring numbers up and ease the shortage.

On Balance with Leland Vittert

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

69°F Sunny Feels like 69°
Wind
1 mph SSW
Humidity
26%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 46F. Winds light and variable.
46°F A few passing clouds. Low 46F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph N
Precip
9%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous