Introduction of the DRIVE Safe Integrity Act
Washington – The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) expressed support today for the DRIVE Safe Integrity Act, introduced by Representatives Rick Crawford (R-Arkansas) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). This legislation aims to help mitigate the shortage of truck drivers. It builds on strong bipartisan backing for the DRIVE Safe Act over the previous Congresses, as well as the integration of the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program into the bipartisan infrastructure law.
Importance of a Strong Trucking Workforce
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear emphasized, “To create a modern supply chain, we need a robust and growing trucking workforce. The DRIVE Safe Integrity Act will create new pathways to careers in interstate trucking while enhancing safety and training standards beyond current state requirements. This bill is a timely and crucial solution to our trucking workforce and supply chain challenges, backed by years of extensive bipartisan support in Congress.”
Addressing the Driver Shortage
Mark S. Allen, President and CEO of IFDA, pointed out, “The past three years have highlighted the essential role truck drivers play in the American economy, underscoring the urgent need for a pipeline of skilled, well-trained drivers to meet rising freight demands.” He expressed gratitude to Representatives Crawford and Cuellar for their bipartisan efforts in tackling this issue, remarking that enhancing the training and safety of younger drivers will be essential for the workforce pipeline.
Current Challenges in the Trucking Industry
The industry is currently experiencing a shortfall of over 78,000 truck drivers and needs to recruit 1.2 million new drivers in the next decade. Simultaneously, U.S. Department of Transportation regulations prevent a significant group of potential candidates from entering interstate trucking, further complicating the driver shortage as qualified individuals seek opportunities in other sectors. While 18- to 20-year-olds can obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for intrastate commerce in 49 states plus Washington D.C., federal regulations prohibit them from participating in interstate commerce.
Legislative Solutions and Pilot Programs
In response, the bipartisan infrastructure law enacted in 2021 introduced a national pilot program based on the DRIVE Safe Act, aimed at allowing young drivers to operate in interstate commerce under stringent safety and training standards. Although the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program was limited to 3,000 drivers at a time, participation has been alarmingly low, with fewer than a dozen drivers enrolled.
Proposed Improvements with the DRIVE Safe Integrity Act
One of the reasons for low participation is the additional USDOT requirements for the program, which were not included in the bipartisan infrastructure law. The DRIVE Safe Integrity Act seeks to rectify this by:
- Encouraging the DOT to make necessary adjustments to enhance participation in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program.
- Mandating the DOT to provide Congress with comprehensive updates on the program’s progress and measures taken to boost participation.
Spear noted, “By ensuring that the DOT aligns the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program with Congress’s original intentions, this bill will pave a way for participants to safely join the workforce. This will ensure we have the talent necessary for future freight demands.” He also thanked Representatives Crawford and Cuellar for their exceptional leadership. Following the conclusion of the pilot program, the bill would instruct the DOT to analyze safety data and establish regulations for a permanent apprenticeship program for drivers aged 18-20.
