FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez gave a speech at the American Trucking Association’s Management Conference and Exhibition this week. He shared some insight into the agency’s plans for the regulatory future of the industry.
Martinez was introduced by ATA President and CEO Chris Spear who praised the change that he’s seen in the FMCSA since Martinez took office. “We have not witnessed this level of engagement since the inception of the agency,” said Spear.
The ATA has every right to be pleased. Things were going well for their member companies before Martinez took over, and since then the regulatory needle has swung even further in their favor. The FMCSA’s policy appears to be moving in lock-step with ATA’s lobbying agenda in nearly every category he addressed.
In his speech, Martinez talked about ELDs, HOS reform, autonomous vehicles, and more. The ELD mandate is still in effect despite Martinez comparing enforcing it to walking in to a buzz saw. HOS reform is in motion, and the FMCSA is taking a hands-off approach to autonomous vehicle regulation. The FMCSA is even moving against the state-level meal and rest break provisions that have been the source of several costly lawsuits against multiple ATA member companies.
Allowing truckers under the age of 21 to drive interstate is also on the ATA’s agenda. The FMCSA seems to be moving towards leniency there as well. Martinez noted the pilot program the FMCSA is working on to allow former military drivers under the age of 21 to drive interstate.
If that pilot program goes well, the FMCSA may expand the testing to non-military as well. The ATA has said in the past that lowering the interstate CDL requirement to 18 could open up trucking as an option to recent high school graduates.
But not everyone thinks lowering the interstate driving age is a good idea. Even Martinez acknowledges that.
“I know what the problem is with young drivers; the insurance companies know what the issues are,” Martinez said. “But maybe there’s a difference. Is there a difference when somebody gets a CDL and that’s how they earn a living and they decide they’re going to take it seriously? I think there is.”
Source: fleetowner, truckersreport
Martinez The Moron says
I think when the ingredients don’t make it to Taco Bell because a teenage trucker had to play Xbox, Martinez will re-think this policy. No chalupas for you sir. And where will teenage truckers park if they need to participate in a govt protest?
Ryan says
If they use former military personnel, they’ll be using flawed data. Those drivers are generally more mature and experienced. Using them to say, “See? We told you that those under 21 can handle it” is disingenuous.
Jimmy Christian says
I agree with you. If the ATA is for it. You had better watch out. Lobbying group for the big carriers is all they are.
Alex says
Anti trucking assoc
Ronald Bass says
I agree. Driving big rigs requires patience. While these youngsters are in high school they’re being taught how to follow directions. Most of their needs come from their parents, so they have no real since of responsibility. Learning responsibility comes with lots of headaches, knots and bruises that their parents in most cases have the responsibility of fixing for them. By the time they reach their twenties, they start to see why it’s best to do things a certain way. For example the right and most safest way. Something the average 17 year haven’t quit grasped yet. Our highways are bad enough already, let’s not add to the problem, because we want to fill a bunch of needed empty seats!!
Tomas says
Have to agree. An 18-21 year old coming out of the military is likely light years more mature than the average 18-21 year old.
That’s comparing apples to oranges.
Charles says
LMAO. A different license doesnt change a careless, aggressive, IDGAF psychology. Age aside, drivers have been getting worse for years and this myth about veteran drivers being better than newbies is just that…MYTH. Just because people dont have crashes, doesnt mean they are good drivers. Try and pass a great many of these owner-ops in their Petes or KWs, and they speed up. Rookies arent generally driving the aforementioned.
Donny Lawson says
I’m an o/o I have witnessed to it.
I see it causes stress. I was in calif and Arizona and in my truck.i want To pass and same thing they speed up
Jerry Brown says
How many people are there under 21 who are former military? Is there such a thing as a two year enlistment in our military? When I joined the Navy in 1994 it was a four year hitch with two post active duty years of reserve service. So based on that how is this possible?
Brandy says
I’m sorry allowing 21 year olds to drive intrastate is a horrible idea. They are immature and drive crazy in 4-wheelers. So why put them behind the wheel of an 80,000 lb. truck?
Carter Scott says
80K that’s cute… I remember my first partial loads….
Erich says
When you allow the condom snorting, tide pose eating millenials to start driving trucks you better have lots a body bags.
Jones says
You do realize Millennials are nearing 40 and most are in their 30’s, right?
Might want to do some generational research before you sheepishly jump on the wrong bandwagon and blame the majority of your income earning workforce for something kids are doing.
Glenn Helmly says
Erich, I don’t think many of them are in the job market and certainly not in the trucking market!
I think this would be a good time to tighten up the training protocols and regulations and make sure “schools” are teaching and not just handing out CDL’s for money… as many many are!
DAVE says
Glen your so right, and if these
People who are trying to make decisions, Get your CDL, spend some time on the road, then it’s easier to identify the learning that really needs to go on!!!!
My wife got her CDL and didn’t know how to back up, drive in the mountains, disconnect and reconnect a trailer properly… The drivers now days are getting hurt because lowering the landing gear to the ground and then continue rolling after touching ground, the trailer is 42-43,000 pounds heavy, teach new drivers to raise and lower the air bags, identify mechanical issues, know to check air pressure in tires, look for discrepencies as you walk around, checking the Fith wheel handle, my wife, after 8mos on the road, decided it’s not for her, teach drivers to drive on wet pavement and ice/snow… Teach how to put chains on, all the essintials!!!
Alex says
Most fleets don’t have dump valves cause,ass wipes would,drive with out hitting switch to inflate bags
Doug says
I agree with most of your post, except for the lowering airbags comment. Many newer trucks are being shipped without the ability to lower the suspension. IMHO its a bad idea, but its out there just the same.
Carter Scott says
Chains lol…. Run full fenders!!! Do laundry shower eat Denny’s. Leave out around 10 am roads have traffic on them by then an have started thawing casue of all traffic plows are catching up by then. Chains are for getting out of bad situations not for goin in. No loads pay enough for wrecked truck no job an a family of six killed an you in prison. Try it sometime all those boys in the ditch are the early birds….
Gloria A Lizardo says
i tottally agree with you. Not enough being taught by school. All for profit.
MARY Jane GOODWIN says
I agree. I went to one of those schools. When i said i wasn’t comfortable with only about 15 hrs behind the wheel actually learning how to drive(never even been inside a rig before and am left handed trying to learn how to drive a 10 speed.) I have no doubt that another week and i would have conquered it. Still had to pay $8,000 for nothing. Now i am a drive away driver and happy with a class B and been driving for 12 yrs.. safety first always.
Scared red says
I am glad that the Feds are not just paying attention to these issues but they are actually talking about it. Those are the baby steps to action. I know I didnt want my son on the couch until 21 and he could have teamed with me. Instead he went to job corps and is an electrician. Thank God he has a job but I think that is more dangerous than driving. However, I dont trust millenials at all with a rig alone. I see what they do and it is scary.
Carter Scott says
Man I was driving at 16. I ain’t all screwed up. Yes some young guys aren’t stupid. Yes i said 16. The night is your friend….
Robert W Stubblefield says
WOW — HOW IGNORANT CAN THIS BE??? SO DANGEROUS FOR EVERYONE
Glenn Davis says
Personally think they need some learning curve in a 4 wheeler, big trucks no place to discover basics of physics in a vehicle.
Justin says
Let’s do the math
18 to join the military
2 year minimum in the military
Get out , gonto a truck driving school for 8-10 weeks
Not much time left till your 21st birthday
Kelley Hunt says
Martinez is the ATA’s little toady. The FMSCA will always do what the ATA wants them to do to give the big fleets a perceived “advantage”. Small fleets and independent o/o’s aren’t going anywhere, because shippers and brokers know this fact too.
Tom says
Said the guy who can’t even put a coherent sentence together. Get out of your bunk, put your flip flops and pajama bottoms back on and get to work Vlad.
Lester Hon says
For us older drivers I have 50.5 yrs I won’t make 51 this is the final straw. I’ve been sitting home for three weeks due to the cheap rates. The wrighting on the wall I can finally read says they will never let us make any serious money. We made a little the first part of the year. I have watched the spot rates drop steadily for the last 3 months. Now they are going to bring in thousands of children in to cheapen our market keeping company drivers and independents rates low. No one will fight for us. No political party gives a flying crap. Not even us.
Emmanuel luhanga says
This is true, only if we can unite as owner operators. We’ll make a change
Cris says
We do. We do. We just dont have proper representation. No one fights for us. OOIDA is weak since the President died.
Alex says
Cheap rates high fuel stay home Lester wedge off enjoy life u only live,once unless u james bond
This is it says
You said the honest God truth. Thank you sir for your service
Carter Scott says
Oilfields are hiring no cheap freight up here…..
R.J. says
Will these recruits have an NCO handy to keep them out of trouble ???
Carter Scott says
No they have you older veteran drivers to help them out. Problem with you older guys is you see a young guy like me an laugh. Misconception is a very common problem in this industry. You wont talk to us or help us out casue your super truckers! Well maybe you should rethink a little. That young man may have been around the block more than you…. Just a thought. He may have driven goat trails in Afganistan in a truck loaded with million of dollars in freight an men an equipment. Anywhere from 80K to 225K loaded…. Oh well hes too young bla bla bla I’m super trucker too good to talk to him….
art says
It’s a cluster currently with “mature” drivers. It will hit the fan when teenagers are at the wheel.
Aldo, just because a 19 year old was in reserves does not make them mature.
We have met many troubled youngsters serving.
dale says
big conglomerate’s are only trying to exploit cheap labor no experience drivers can be paid cheap wages ex military workers are in a controlled environment in the military.Here we go again BIG BUSINESS buying government rules for their own gains so if younger drivers are going to be able to drive over the road as proposed it’s going to be a profitable time to be in the lawyer field. Apparently the government doesn’t really want safer highways
Buck says
Help is on the way but you drivers complain complain complain you were youngand had to learn to drive so just leave them be.
Hope Mendez says
I’ll “leave them be” when they prove themselves.
DAVE says
It’s not about the age, and maturity, but if the old teaches the new then we all would have a better feeling about the new drivers, I learned and was 22 still active duty, but I had to drive around with a trainer for 3 months, my schooling was 45hours a week for 8 weeks, we drove night and day, 4 hours was in the yard practicing the backing, driving the other 4 hours, so yes if we all pull together and teach others and work together. Newer companies Are just putting the new guys behind the wheel and turning the other way, Teach the art of customer service. After 29 years I have given up the wheel because Companies will not recognize the experience, and pay a decent wage, decent meaning spend a little but save a little more. Living pay check to pay check is not a way of life, and regulate the companies offering Lease Purchase, that’s the big problem also, companies are literly making a killing off drivers, and if the financing was available at a reasonable cost, the lease driver woukd also be required to learn the business side of owning a truck… How many know how Ifta works, paying for fuel, expense that comes with owning a truck and trailer…
Alex says
Buc k go home weed,on a Donny weenie
Heather says
Say that when an 18yr old slams into your family car because the kid driving 80,000lb rolling missel doesn’t have common sense and judgment because he/she lacks maturity!!! Oh I have had a cdl for 30+yrs no accidents or tickets
Groo says
Mindset is a whole bunch more important than age. Some people have the correct mindset at 18. I didn’t. I didn’t have it at 21 either, but I was a whole bunch closer. Maybe the sense of responsibility of getting behind the wheel would have gotten me there at 18.
Personally, I hate the whole mixed age of majority in this country.
16 to drive, somewhere between 14 and 18 to make sweet sweet love, 18 to vote, 18 to go to war, 18 to drive a big truck but not cross state lines, 21 to drive a big truck across state lines, 21 to drink, 21 to buy a handgun from a FFL, 25 to rent a car from most places, 25 before they finally kick you off mommy and daddy’s insurance. Just when do you finally become a man?
Jillie says
And they are supposed to know the mindset of an 18 yr old they put behind the wheel how? Sorry I am not for putting someone that has only had a drivers license for about 2 years in a big truck.
AnotherPOV says
Truckers: Know everything except when to shut up. Know how everything works except how to get a different job. Are typically 20-60 years old with 100 years experience. Whine just as much as a typical millennial but still bitch about millennials whining. Talk about unfair economics while pissing away all their money on boats, cars, and expensive houses they rarely get to see. Talk about all the hard work they do (outside the winter months) while being obese. Complain about problems then complain even more about proposed solutions.
If this sounds like you, kindly think before you act – and speaking, doing, and typing all count as actions.
This has been a PSA (Public Service Announcement) for STD’s (Spoiled Truck Driver’s).
Alex says
Stupid,is,stupid,says, whatever floats
A Merrill says
You better enjoy your PSP and XBox, dude. You won’t be getting any food, clothing, gasoline, shampoo, toilet paper…..without a truck driver! I drove for 25 years. I did not start driving until I was in my 30’s. Prior I worked in accounting after college. But you know all anout truck drivers by sitting there with your IPhone in your hand all day long. Ignorance is ignorant!!
AnotherPOV says
Self driving trucks will replace you all soon anyway.
Benny says
I’ve said this over and over all you truck drivers would stick together like I have always said and just quit driving for a week or two things will get better for you all.
Bob Shively says
The responses/concerns above are mostly valid. That is why I find it inconceivable that we cannot find a behavioral test that tells us 18-20 year olds’ level of maturity. The ‘we’ I refer to is the trucking industry, government and insurers.
Shicyhi97 says
Groo, hopefully before they’re dead.
Cris says
That sounds very much to me that the Government is using fake data to push an agenda through just like the ELD the big companies crammed down our throats. Military personnel are young men and women that have been through hell and back and are mature and responsible. Flawed Data!!!!
Micheal Waltman says
The p st oblem arising us simple. At 21 years of age and out of military service you where either medical or disciplinary discharges. Neither of which makes for goid commercial drivers for different reasons. The other issue is the regs for the kids, MUST be an automatic transmission and a radar . These kids do not learn the right way to drive. First you learn the basics on a manual and using your brain to know when you are to close, then the easy stuff. I zm not opposed to opening thd age ranges to younger drivers however i am vehemently opposed to training them to drive without all the tools in there toolbox. As to hos reform just eliminate the shit and start from scratch. Allow the drivers to recognize when we are tired and need to sleep. We as drivers do not need nor want big brother looking over our shoulders. Let us do our jobs. If you want to regulate something regulate the shipping rates to make for an affordable wage for drivers and owner operators.
Mark Boyle says
As any Federal bureaucracy, they do what they always do, they have the authority and no responsibility. Regardless of the outcome, the cost will reside with the injured/dead and their families.
Jimmy Christian says
I was just thinking. I know, dangerous. We probably will not have to worry about this. Most of these kids are not going to be able to pass a drug screen. With marijuana being legal in more and more states most kids will never be able to get a good job. Those that are smart enough to stay away from drugs may be mature enough to make it. I pray so, anyway.
Michael says
Just quit belly aching and stop right where your at no matter what just stop and stay stopped ,sure there will be some collateral damage and problems but this is what it’s going to take to get things right ..
Dude says
Well,youngsters “play” with their “lil pickle” a lot behind wheel.Also,all those chats on social media,communications with girlfriends.All those “love drama” while behind big rig,s wheel?Good luck with that.
May be even computer games while driving…
Robert Stone says
Understand like the one guy said they are only gonna let 18 year olds behind the wheel to keep from paying us experienced drivers. Even with all the talk of driver shortage which is bullshit, companies are still not paying. Starting pay for a experienced driver should be no less than .80 cpm. Period.
Stephanie Skidmore says
Military maybe. But just fresh out of high school? Definitely not! They are not mature enough to handle a car so they sure as hell don’t need to be in a big truck! Have you seen teenagers in your area driving??? If not you need to sit out at a high school and watch and learn. They are accidents waiting to happen. We have enough adults that drive bad in trucks to look out for. We don’t need kids. Sounds like a ploy to lower rates and pay!!!!!
Rich Franklin says
A 30+ year veteran who grew up driving in a time where they would drive coast coast non stop on crank; worrying about these kids driving. If that ain’t the pot calling the kettle black.
Mark llc says
Trucking is a grown man’s job….Immaturity is common below 21 yrs old….Adapting to the change from Graduating High school to college or trade careers requires the young adults to adopt different coping mechanisms then most young adults develop being under their parents supervision….Quick, mature responses are often the difference between a Jackknifed Truck on icy roadways or Preventable accidents where texting amongst motorists is commonly dangerous behaviors we frequently observe…..Furthermore, many brokers use resources as TELEGRAM, a texting requirement for operation of both XPO & Amazon Associated trucking companies…..Please Restructure based on time tested experiences, not for driver shortages….Mandated by Congress Federal detention rates needs to be put in place 1st before low self esteem drivers or Immigrants awaiting Work Visas, Residents or Citizenship are interjected into the Trucking infrastructure Please… Mark Ferguson — Owner Operator for 35 years…
Bill says
They need to let the drivers that have been out here for say 5 to 10 years go back to paper logs and the new guy and girls to stay on elogs it is bull for the ones that know how to drive and that have not had no problems out here on the interstate to be told by some pencil pusher that they know what is best for us out here they have never even been out in a big truck .dot is just a bunch of people that thinks they know what trucking is all about . if the truckers would shut down and let the government know we r not going to take it no more just like the truckers did back in the early 70 ‘s we can take back what is ours witch is r lifes and r jobs and not a bunch of snot noes kids that has no respect for the older drivers
Mother Trucker says
I’ve been driving 32 yrs over the road. More than half owner operator.
It is all about MONEY not safety. What needs to happen is to stop so many cuts off of what the shippers are paying to move there fright. The brokers, agents, trucking company’s should only be able to divide up to 20 percent of top gross among each other. We’re the ones putting our lives and quality of driving out there. Let them divide the 20 percent among each other n the 80 percent should go straight to the owner operator. Also with a computer in your truck your logging all miles. So get AIRPLANE MILLAGE GONE AND DONE WITH. We’re not airplanes. And why pay ROAD TAX, MILLAGE TAX, FUEL TAX, ECT ON MILES WERE NOT GETTING PAID FOR…. DO THE MATH DRIVERS. ASK HOW YOU GET PAID MILLAGE. AIR, PRACTICAL, RAND MCNALLY ECT.
MOTHER TRUCKER
Alex says
Get laid,get paid get a ho go down get down go around but just go
Everett says
They need to leave the babies at home untill 21 if they do let the babies out here then make them a team driver only untill they turn ,21 and crack down on these driving schools putting those trainees out here with just 2 weeks of training and then turn around and make them a trainer in 30 days that s not enough training for any driver
Tommy says
You may as well stop drug testing……
This is by far the most ludicrous idea ever spawned and even more if it is put into action. Make the changes to the HOS like you are planning and you want need to allow inexperienced toddlers to use an 18 wheeler to learn how to drive
You people that are making these laws need to start driving an 18-wheeler yourselves before you start changing laws that everyone of us experienced truck drivers knows is going to be disastrous to the industry
Grnilady says
Agree
If one law maker would get behind the wheel of an 18 he would think twice.
All about making a quick fix, this is not the answer.
If anything they need to spend money, correctly teaching the whole industry not jist the driving.
Experience is everything.
Hands on. Just because they can Maneuver in a yard doesn’t mean they can hit the highway.
Yet alone back between 2 owner operator’s trucks at a dock
Pure nightmare
Like the other guy said more body bags needed
What they also fail to realize is they themselves are on the road with this disaster how do they think they are going to get out of the way!!!!!
Alex says
Best team drivers in America ray and Donny
DLH says
Drove for 17 years, 2 million miles. Trained drivers and ran programs and schools for 25 more years. Went to Washington numerous times working on training standards for entry-level drivers (along with many other highly-experienced training professionals). Finished the project, presented it to the feds, it went through the comment periods and all the other regulatory gook, then the feds put it on the shelf for years.
Not too long ago, the feds released minimum standards for training entry-level drivers. It requires no minimum school hours, and basically says that the schools themselves can decide when the entry level driver has been trained satisfactorily. Absolutely inconceivable! So the same CDL mills will continue to crank out dangerous untrained drivers who they test in-house and declare good to go!
Another good idea the feds might consider would be to identify all the hen houses in the country, and train foxes to guard them. The CDL training rule is proof positive that the people in Washington writing the rules are ignorant about our industry, and worse, really don’t care about public safety.
Frank Peavy says
All the old school drivers complain about people under 21 possibly driving trucks interstate. But then they all say that that is how they learn to drive was riding with the older School Truckers and learning from them and driving with them. It’s the way I did it. I was sitting in the driver seat when I was 14 going to California learning from relatives. Definitely a better way to learn than truck driving school. I’m now 55 with 3 million accident-free miles. But the company I work for which is the same company I trained does not allow passengers because of insurance. Therefore I cannot train my grandson who wants to learn how to drive. So he has to go to a truck driving school where he will learn absolutely nothing about real Trucking. There needs to be an apprenticeship program. Like the way we used to do it.
Veronica Harmon-Gunn says
Lester Hon & Groo, I totally agree with u guys.
I personally believe there is no shortage of responsibility CDL drivers.
There’s a shortage of companies willing to pay fair wages to drivers. Minimal home time, on the road at least 3 weeks at a time, to make a living wage, with 14 hr days including 11 hrs drive time, REALLY! Ugh!
The industry just want to exploit the young. They AINT concerned about helping the military young.
If they took care of tbye drivers they had, there would be NO shortage. That’s Shortage BS!
Tomas says
Consider this:
Basic law of Supply/Demand says when something is in short supply and/or high demand, the price increases.
If there is a driver shortage (short supply) and companies are hurting for drivers (high demand), why have prices (driver pay) skyrocketed?
Government data says there are nearly 300,000 new CDLs issued, and about 200,000 CDL renewals annually. But only 80,000 new truck driver jobs annually. Somehow, that math doesn’t compute. Are 20,000 experienced drivers quitting every year? Out of nearly half a million new and renewed CDLs, less than 100,000 go into trucking?
And it must be a coincidence that shipping demand (and costs) are increasing and trucking companies profits are soaring. Yet somehow, driver pay is stagnant.
Ok, driver shortage. Yeah, that’s what it is; driver shortage.
Brian says
There is enough drivers yelling on the cb and honking there horns at people who are in their way of doing 75mph.
All fairness. Most of them get the concept of the weight of the load. And how to control that rig.
Remember your first accident at 18? Learn from that in a car first.
Rick Helms says
I grew up in this industry and if they start allowing 18 yr olds to start driving interstate then all I can say is “ JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH THE INSURANCE RATES SKYROCKET AFTER ALL THE MONEY THAT IS PAID OUT FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR THE HUGE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS “ really Mr. Martinez your going to allow a “ Pilot Program “ to “Test the waters” Sir I have over 12 yrs in this industry as a driver and over 1,000,000 miles without a major accident and drawing on the over 30 yrs of experience in this industry your making a massive mistake
Luis rios says
I’ll like to go back driving again i don’t have my cdl anymore i have 26 years experience flatbed and dryvan with no tickets or accidents i stop driving in 2014 .my question is how i go by to get my cdl back ?im 67 years i feel 40 and i look 50s haha..also is anybody hiring a 67 years old truck driver ?
Ed says
Well Im 61 in a similar situation. Got a job doing a night run …second day on the job was told to shut the ELD down and run a paper log because II was out of time , I was in a daycab and the so called Company was NOT paying for lodging. Figured the old guy was going to do what they said because they made it seem that I was lucky they hired me because of my age.
Odell Jackson says
Instead of fixing what they already messed up, they’re going to make it WORSE with immature bodies. Why do you think the military take kids right out of high school because they’re immature don’t know nothing and will do anything.
E says
Feds not thinking abt real common sense all abt. The big companies doing what they want legaly they pay their lobbyist to go cry and pay all rigged against you . They say. Hi my jump. So much for capitalism .The little ones you gonna make what they say no more
KELLY COULT says
Instead of filling those needed seats with young inexperienced drivers let’s get these hos rules changed for a flexibility in our daily logs. Let us have fexible sleeper birth and get rid of the 14 hr clock that burns most of us due to sitting at shoppers and receivers. Lose the 30 min break too. Then alot of the experienced drivers that gave up on this industry would come back and make good money again. It’s that easy
Kelly coult says
Instead of filling those needed seats filled with young inexperienced drivers let’s get these HOS rules changed to have more flexibility in our daily logs. Give us flexible sleeper birth options and get rid of this rediculous 14 hr clock. Lose the 30 min break also. Do this and I guarantee that alot of the good experienced drivers that stopped driving will come back because we could make a good living again. We don’t need no 18 year old drivers out here. Wait and see. It’s a mistake
Larry Morrison says
After considering all the facts, maybe rethinking the hours of service for regional carriers. As long as a driver returns to his domain every night, exstend the mileage radius to 300 miles, that would give him a roughly about to go out and back for deliveries, basically one drop and pick returning home every night. Still be able to run paper logs.
David says
Is there a difference when somebody gets a CDL and that’s how they earn a living and they decide they’re going to take it seriously? I think there is.”
…and he’s going to risk the traveling publics lives to find out.
Odell Jackson says
A CDL does not make a person serious about working to take care of family I know guys with CDL that smoke weed while they’re driving their truck
Bert says
Dont see many professional drivers out here now. No courtesy at all worse its ever been.one thing nobody mentions is the young guys from what I’ve seen are not about work especially if it pays poorly which trucking does. The smart young ones are not jumping into big trucks.my grandson 24 yrs old sees my 1000 dollar clear paycheck and gets stars in his eyes until i explained to him, 60+ hours driving 40 hours sleeper berth(still on the job babysitting someones equipment and freight) lets see not good at math ,100 hours 1000dollars clear oh yeah 10 dollars and hour clear. Young guys if there out here from what i see are no worse drivers then the so called professionals i deal with every day
Shawn D Fleck says
College degrees take generally 4 years so I think truck driving deploma should be at least a two year program and cover all aspects of OTR trucking!
Ismael Gonzalez says
I was 17 when I got my CDL in Texas. Started hauling gravel with a frameless dump trailer. Been driving ever since. Truck driving is all I’ve done.
Richard Pickell says
Age really has nothing to do with it. An aptitude of maturity is where it starts. I have seen drivers through out the age ranges that couldnt conduct themselves beyond the maturity level of a five year old.
As long as the Federal Government keeps allowing foreigners to drive on our highways. Only capable of barely going straight and barely scoping whiping out nearby vehicles and automotives. I think young people will be the least of our problems. Just set them up with a one year apprenticeship program. After one year of driving with a trainer showing a professional demonstration. It would be no different than going g one year through a tech school.
Afterwards, congratulate them on their achievement. By saying “Welcome to the industry, you made it”.
But at the same time. That one year will weed out the ones that dont have what it takes to stick it out long term.
Derrick Moore says
Having a CDL as a way of life, it’s not just something you can just fall into but I can see them going after younger drivers because those that have been in the profession for at least 10 years or fed up all the new policies money not going up rates slowly going up but they pushed the eld policies out and make you have it but they don’t go up on the rates right away
Kc says
Not a good idea at all. Get the body bags ready.
Benny says
Some of you are very right, all the trucker’s want to do is complain and cry and whine don’t want to stick together and get something done they are a whole bunch of whiners.
David says
HOS fix is simple…10/8 and rest when you want…worked for years…wasnt broke, shouldn’t have messed with it…
18 yr olds should not be driving these 80k trucks alone, period…if these companies want that, have a retired old trucker sit in the b seat and keep em in line…
The ATA can smooch on my ham hicks…OOIDA has no sack anymore…and we will NEVER figure out how to stand together…half of y’all can drive through a storm and can’t agree it’s raining…
Been Rolling coal since 92, been there, done that…now I ride 45 hrs a week, put $3k into fuel, ifta, taxes, and $1600 in Mama’s bank account…
Y’all have fun on those East/West rides, I’ll be home, eating home cooking and knuckle deep in the wifey…👍
Jude says
Minimum age for joining the military is 18, 17 with parental permission. After just four years, one hitch, that would make the person 21/22 years old. Where are these former military drivers who are under 21 coming from?
Carl says
They wont last long 6 to8 weeks in 8×8 cubical no money at the end and another unrenewed cdl will go down no one wants to live like ATA’s buddies want you to live like a vagabond and there’s no safe spaces.
Steve pilkington says
Eld for everyone it makes our highways safer for everyone no more tired drivers less fatal crashes and oh wait after we force that down your throat for safety reasons. The next thing we will do to make trucking a better and safer industry we are gonna set teenagers loose. Wow a genius at work there really. Trucking won’t be able to afford the insurance on that mess or insurance should just refuse coverage and they should the only companies that could hire these kids would be the self insured trucking companies and they will hire them. Swift. Werner. Schneider etc cause private insurance got so expensive they had no choice. Let’s all hope the big insurance companies are smart because no one will be able to afford insurance after that bomb goes off. Our government at work. Jesus.
Larry says
I think this eld is nothing more then self control.it has messed up a lot of things for instant,its causing more accidents its really forcing drivers to do things now because its a race with the eld now a lot of things happens out here on road that can cause delays no way to get it back you cant stop and see mom and dad now when u passed through now because the clock is ticking u cant stop and kill a little time with a friend if u are not careful u may not get home to see hour family because time fan out are if u ge two hours from home ,and its time for a 34 hour restart guess what now u gou to inconvenient hour wife to crive two hours to come get u ,then sorry about getting u back before she go to work monday things was so much simpler when paper logs was the thing.if they just got to have the eld be fair mame things to were it will benefit the drivers we love seeing our family and frinds too we wa t our life back hou got us drivers like prisoner in our own truck its not right ,yall have family hou see every day how would you all liked to be control like that? Just be real and fair about this
Bill says
I have been driving for 10 years and have never had a acd i have been hit sitting in the truck stop by young people that thought they were super truckers . it takes more then a cdl to make u a super trucker it takes alot of time but really there is no such thing as a super trucker u just think u r one because u got a cdl and u have a big rig . 18 year olds do not have no business out here in a truck . if they do pass and let the 18 year old kids out here i will be the first to fight back to get them out . the government needs to take this elog and put it were the sun does not shine
Daniel Yelle says
This is a hot topic. For my self i started driving interstate at the age of 17 years old. I bought my first truck when i was 19 . I just ran around the midwest about a 500 mile radius from home. Yes i did grow up in the trucking industry and was trained by my dad so i was not your average kid .But all i hear about this issue is cheap labor pool. The way i see this issue is to get young people into this industry so they have time to learn it and make a career out of it. The 30 to 50 year olds who can’t find a job so they try truck driving are not working out. I started driving 42 years ago and still learn sumthing new every day.
Kevin says
Because they would be former military, I don’t think it will be much of an issue. Most of those young men come to understand the difference between play and serious work and safety. But, NEVER, would I agree with the knuckleheads coming fresh out of our public schools.
Anthony Koehn says
I don’t think the insurance companies will go for it. One of the owner operators I drive with is under 21 and had to stay in state. His insurance was 1100.00 per week
Doc says
all this is is more big government and big Corporate America and they are messing up big time. It is time for the real driver to stand up and say we are not taking it anymore.
Ken says
Dumbest thing yet.
Tim Duregger says
Raise the pay scale and there will be plenty of experienced drivers to fill those seats. The driver shortage is a myth. If drivers had been getting cost of living increases since the 1970’s, pay would be double the current OTR average of $.45 per mile. Just saying.
John silveira says
Right on FMCSA, send those.kids to be exploited and killed before they first year behind a truck wheel , pencil.pushers has no clue about trucking industry , we.need better benefits, salary, respect and tike.with family
Steve says
It doesn’t matter what any of us say. It’s more government corruption and they don’t even try to hide it anymore. Want to change something with the FMCSA? Write a bigger check than the other guy.
Johnny says
So many generalizations in one short answer. You must be one of those people with an impeccable track record