Legislative Watch 
LEGISLATIVE
Font Resize
 |
|
4/24/06-The House approved a resolution Thursday, April 20, calling for the federal government to consider lowering the minimum age for commercial motor vehicle drivers.
Sponsored by Rep. J.C. Kuessner, D-Eminence, the House Concurrent Resolution, HCR18, encourages the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to establish a pilot program to evaluate the potential of lowering the age requirements from 21 years of age to 18.
Since April 1992, drivers have been required by the Federal Highway Administration to have a commercial driver’s license to get behind the wheel of a commercial motor vehicle.
States are allowed to issue CDLs to qualified people 18 years of age or older if they are an intrastate operation. Kuessner’s effort attempts to include interstate operation in the same rule.
The resolution calls for the FMCSA to “include behind-the-wheel training, mentoring and an evaluation component” for prospective drivers.
Kuessner wrote that the pilot program “has the potential of relieving a severe commercial motor vehicle driver shortage in the states and nation, and creating excellent career opportunities.”
The resolution has been sent to the state’s Senate for consideration. If approved there, it would be presented to the FMCSA and Missouri’s congressional delegation.
For status, call (573) 751-4633. In Missouri, call 1-800-877-5982.
