Summary of Legislation:
Last week, Colorado Governor Jared Polis enacted a law permitting individuals as young as 18 to operate commercial vehicles for interstate transportation. However, this change is contingent on federal approval, as current regulations bar 18-21 year-olds from driving Class 8 trucks across state lines.
Industry Backing:
The trucking sector is in favor of this new law. Jay Hicks, who represents the Colorado Motor Carriers Association and the Western States Transportation Alliance, expressed support during his testimony on February 5. The American Trucking Associations has also advocated for a federal policy update.
Addressing Driver Shortage:
According to State Senator Ray Scott, this legislation aims to alleviate the pressing national driver shortage, as reported by Transport Topics.
Previous Efforts:
Last year, senators proposed federal legislation aimed at reducing the driving age, but the DRIVE-Safe Act did not proceed to a vote. Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas noted that the DRIVE-Safe Act would create job opportunities for young individuals while enhancing national supply chain efficiency, benefiting various sectors of Kansas’s economy.
Ongoing Driver Shortage:
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) estimates a current shortfall of 51,000 drivers, a number projected to rise to nearly 100,000 by 2021, as reported by USA Today.
Companies’ Strategies:
To attract drivers, many companies are offering higher wages and financial incentives. For instance, Walmart successfully recruited 1,400 drivers last year by providing $1,500 referral bonuses along with some of the highest salaries in the industry.
Innovative Solutions:
The driver shortage has prompted companies to explore creative methods for managing increased salary expenses. For example, Sysco is contemplating the use of smaller vehicles that don’t require a CDL, while US Foods is focusing on leveraging technology to improve routing efficiency.
