Feds Pondering Graduated CDL

The federal governments wants to gauge trucking’s sentiment on the notion of a graduated commercial driver license, which could allow younger drivers into the cab of big rigs.

In the July 19 Federal Register, the Federal Highway Administration asked for comments from motor carriers, drivers, training schools, insurance companies as well as licensing and law enforcement agencies on the need for a survey to assess the usefulness of a graduated CDL program.

The system would ease beginning drivers into the job under controlled conditions and progress to more difficult driving experiences.

The study would be conducted by American Trucking Associations’ Trucking Research Institute.

The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century requires the Department of Transportation do a cost-benefit analysis of issuing graduated CDLs.

But Robert Redmond, a transportation analyst with FHWA’s Office of Motor Carrier Research and Standards, said the agency had been working on the idea, which he said was first suggested by ATA.

"This is being driven partly by the driver shortage," said Rebecca Brewster, director of regional operations for the ATA Foundation.

Trucking companies have complained of being unable to find enough drivers. ATA reported that the industry was expected to hire 80,000 new drivers a year until 2005 because of growth and attrition.

"There are those in the industry who want to see whether it would make sense to bring younger drivers into the industry," Brewster said. "Part of the problem is by the time a man or woman is 21 they’ve chosen another career path."

Once the national survey is complete, Redmond said, the next step would be pilot testing in certain states.

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