Ceasing Age-Based Trucking Restrictions Act
Term Dictionary
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- Congress.gov Legislative Glossary - Comprehensive congressional terms
- NVFC Congressional Terms Glossary - Concise, easy-to-understand definitions
The gist
- Reclassifies in-state port deliveries as intrastate trucking, letting states license 18-20 year olds to drive routes currently restricted to drivers 21 and older.
Who wins, who loses
- Wins: 18-20 year olds seeking trucking jobs, port-area trucking companies facing driver shortages, importers.
- Loses: highway safety advocates citing higher crash rates for under-21 commercial drivers.
What it does
- Adds Section 31318 to Title 49 of U.S. Code, Chapter 313.
- Says port-to-in-state deliveries don't count as interstate, even if cargo came from abroad.
- Removes the federal Commercial Driver's License (CDL) age-21 trigger for those specific routes.
- Lets states issue intrastate CDLs to 18-year-olds for port runs; takes effect on enactment.
Why should I care?
Supporters say the bill opens real $50K+ careers to teens straight out of high school and eases port bottlenecks that drive up prices. Critics point to federal data showing drivers under 21 crash at higher rates and worry mixing inexperienced drivers with heavy freight risks lives. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.