Sponsors (32)
The bill opens a supervised path for under-21 CDL holders to gain interstate experience and raises safety and accountability standards, but does so at added cost to employers, with privacy trade-offs and the risk that carriers may restrict hiring of younger drivers.
Young drivers under 21 who hold CDLs can gain supervised interstate driving experience through an apprenticeship program, speeding entry into interstate driving careers.
Apprentices must complete structured minimum training (hour and competency benchmarks) combined with mandated safety technology and accompaniment by experienced drivers, improving driver skill and on-road safety before solo interstate driving.
Employers are required to retain training records and remediate after reportable accidents or violations, increasing accountability and encouraging continuous safety and training improvements.
Employers will face additional compliance costs to provide qualified vehicles, safety technology, supervision, and recordkeeping; those costs may prompt carriers to limit hiring of under-21 drivers or add stricter employer requirements, reducing job opportunities.
Mandated forward-facing video and other continuous in-cab monitoring raise privacy concerns for drivers about constant recording and how footage is used or stored.
A one-year deadline to issue implementing regulations could delay the program's start or create transitional uncertainty for employers and drivers while agencies finalize rules.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal apprenticeship allowing under-21 CDL holders to drive interstate while completing required supervised training, equipment, and recordkeeping standards.
Official title: To establish an apprenticeship program for commercial drivers under the age of 21, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 26, 2025 by Rick Crawford · Last progress September 26, 2025
Allows people under 21 who hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce if they are enrolled in, or have completed, a federal apprenticeship that meets detailed training, equipment, supervision, and competency requirements. The law sets required probationary training hours and benchmarks, requires safety equipment on apprentice vehicles, mandates employer recordkeeping and remediation after safety incidents, and directs the Department of Transportation to issue implementing regulations within one year.