A federal safe driver apprenticeship pilot for commercial drivers ages 18 to 20 drew only a fraction of its authorized participants before closing, leaving Congress to decide whether to make the program permanent, launch a new pilot, or maintain existing age restrictions, according to an updated Congressional Research Service (CRS) report.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) approved 76 apprentice drivers, 2.5% of the 3,000 allowed, and 62 motor carriers, 6.2% of the 1,000 allowed, based on enrollment data reported through June 2025. Of the 76 approved apprentices, 42, or 55%, had completed both required probationary periods as of that date.
The Department of Transportation’s May report to Congress found no observed adverse safety impacts in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024, though the report cautioned that the small number of participants may limit how broadly that finding applies.