The future of trucking depends on creating clear, safe, and supported pathways for young people to enter the industry. That message took center stage during the Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) Call on Washington, where industry leaders and drivers met with lawmakers to advocate for opportunities for 18- to 20-year-old CDL holders.
As part of the event, Garner Trucking apprentice driver Jacob Szabo — a graduate of the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program — and his mother represented the company in meetings with legislators to discuss opportunities for young drivers. Their participation was supported by Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, President of Garner Trucking, who has been a long-time advocate for pathways that prepare 18- to 20-year-olds for safe, successful trucking careers.
“After many years of asking our legislators in Washington to support younger driver regulations, we as an industry were provided an opportunity through the Safe Driver Apprentice Pilot program with FMCSA to hire and train an 18–20-year interstate driving workforce! At Garner, we were super proud of one of our very own younger drivers, Jacob Szabo, to attend the TCA fall meetings and participate on their ‘Call on Washington! These younger drivers are caring and also capable of commanding our American highways and byways.
We as trucking owners need to step up and give them a chance!”
— Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, President, Garner Trucking
Another strong advocate during the event was Tracy Rushing, CDS, Executive Director of Safety & Recruiting at R.E. Garrison Trucking, who spoke with her Alabama legislators about the barriers carriers face in hiring 18-year-olds for interstate operations.
“In Alabama, one in every 13 jobs is tied to trucking — that’s over 133,000 hardworking people keeping our state and our country moving. We’ve got 32,000 trucking companies right here at home, and we’re feeling the same thing: our driver workforce is aging, and the next generation is ready but waiting. The DRIVE Safe Act gives us a safe, structured way to bring them in the right way — with real training, mentorship, and technology. I told lawmakers that when we invest in these young drivers, we’re not just creating jobs — we’re protecting the legacy of trucking in Alabama and beyond.”
— Tracy Rushing, CDS, Executive Director of Safety & Recruiting, R.E. Garrison Trucking
THE DRIVE-SAFE ACT: Building a Safer Pathway for the Next Generation
Just weeks before the Call on Washington, the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act — H.R. 5563 — was introduced in Congress with bipartisan support. The bill opens doors for 18- to 20-year-old CDL holders by establishing a national apprenticeship program that allows them to drive in interstate commerce under rigorous safety and training standards.
Key Features of the DRIVE-Safe Act:
- 📘 Structured Training: Apprentices must complete 400 hours of on-duty training, including both a 120-hour and 280-hour probationary period.
- 🚛 Safety Technology: Apprentices drive only vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, forward-facing cameras, and collision-mitigation systems.
- 👨🏫 Supervised Experience: Each apprentice is paired with an experienced driver (age 26+) who has at least two years of safe interstate driving experience.
- 📋 Competency-Based Progression: Apprentices must demonstrate proficiency in key safety and operational benchmarks before advancing.
- 🏛️ Employer Responsibility: Employers must maintain training records, provide remediation for any incidents, and verify skill competency.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will issue implementing regulations within one year of enactment. The goal is to create a clear, competency-based pathway for young drivers to enter the workforce safely and confidently.
DRIVING THE INDUSTRY FORWARD
As more carriers, associations, and schools invest in creating pathways for young drivers, initiatives like the DRIVE-Safe Act are essential to strengthening the workforce pipeline.
During the Call on Washington, TCA members made it clear that the industry’s future depends on empowering young people who are ready to step up — like Jacob, who represents the next generation of professional drivers.
LEARN MORE & TAKE ACTION
- Read our white paper: “BRIDGING THE GAP — Why Hiring Younger Talent is Critical to the Future of Trucking” → https://nextgentrucking.org/resources/whitepapers-guides/