WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program received just 113 application from motor carriers as of February.
That’s well below the target number previously set by FMCSA officials for the program, which is designed to attract truck drivers under 21 years of age.
Shortly after the program launched in 2022, Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., said at a Senate subcommittee meeting that there were only four apprentices in the program at that time.
“Although the pilot program is intended to accommodate up to 1,000 carriers and 3,000 enrolled apprentices at any given time, the initial participation data is just alarmingly underwhelming,” Hyde-Smith said. “At the time of the presentation from FMCSA, only 21 carriers had been approved for participation and four apprentices were in the program. One, two, three, four, and we could take up to 3,000.”
Congress passed a bill in early 2024 to remove the requirement for driver-facing cameras in an effort to help boost the program’s numbers.
The FMCSA report notes that just 34 of carriers had been fully approved to participate in the program thus far. FMCSA officials said they rejected 38 applications for not meeting the safety qualifications.
Another 36 applications met the safety standards but failed to complete registration.
The program, which is scheduled to end in July 2025, set a goal of accommodating 1,000 motor carriers and 3,000 drivers under 21.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in 2021 included a nationwide pilot program to create a pathway for these younger drivers to operate in interstate commerce with rigorous safety and training guardrails. The apprenticeship program was capped at 3,000 participating drivers
Current regulations require interstate truck drivers to be at least 21 years old, while intrastate drivers can receive their commercial driver’s license at 18.
The program was also initiative to help with what some perceive as a truck driver shortage.
However, groups such as the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have refuted these claims.
“Instead, OOIDA argues there is a driver retention problem caused by low wages and poor working conditions at large fleets,” according to a statement from the organization. “In addition, OOIDA contends that lowering the interstate driving age will only hinder safety.”
Jay Grimes, OOIDA’s director of federal affairs, said that for decades, large motor carriers and others “have peddled the myth of a ‘driver shortage’ in an effort to find the cheapest labor possible without first addressing longstanding driver turnover problems. This turnover makes it challenging to retain drivers and develop a well-trained workforce. The lack of participation in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program to this point is another signal that the industry must prioritize driver retention. This includes addressing inadequate pay, poor working conditions, minimal training requirements and truck parking, among other concerns.”
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and raised in East Texas, John Worthen returned to his home state to attend college in 1998 and decided to make his life in The Natural State. Worthen is a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry and has covered just about every topic there is. He has a passion for writing and telling stories. He has worked as a beat reporter and bureau chief for a statewide newspaper and as managing editor of a regional newspaper in Arkansas. Additionally, Worthen has been a prolific freelance journalist for two decades, and has been published in several travel magazines and on travel websites.
Well the man has spoke the truth. People are sick and tired of low wages and miserable working conditions. These mega trucking companies better step up and start paying decent wages and take care of their employees!! Remember we the drivers are the ones making record profits for you!!
While it’s understandable to recognize the hard work of truck drivers, it’s important to consider that they are part of a larger system contributing to a company’s profitability. Record profits in the trucking industry are often driven by various roles, such as those who manage load brokering, negotiate truck purchase deals, and implement cost-cutting measures. Truck drivers, while essential, are not the sole contributors to financial success. Looking ahead, the future of the trucking industry faces significant changes. The shift towards electric trucks, which are substantially more expensive than diesel models, and the development of autonomous driving technology are likely to transform the industry. This could reduce the number of drivers needed and alter the economics of trucking. Therefore, it’s critical for drivers to rethink their strategies and explore new avenues as the industry evolves.