The American Trucking Industry has announced recently that the organization will be supporting the lowering of age limits currently required to obtain a commercial driver license. This is likely due to the extreme shortage of CDL drivers that the trucking industry is experiencing, as a lack of qualified truck drivers and a very high driver turnover rates is leaving many companies understaffed and unable to meet their goals. But is putting younger people behind the wheels of semi’s and commercial motor vehicles the solution?
Currently, regulations dictate that an individual must be 18 years old to obtain an intrastate commercial driver license, meaning that they can only operate the CMV within one state and cannot cross state lines. To qualify for an interstate CDL, haul hazardous materials, or operate double or triple trailer, the minimum age is 21. The ATA would like to see lower age limits set, but emphasizes that this would be situational with proper training and monitoring.
Is younger age limits for commercial drivers a good idea? Let’s put aside our memories of ourselves at that age (which are likely dotted with trouble and bad judgment calls) to take a look at what it takes to be a good truck driver and how the average 18 year old may fit the bill.
1. Able to Work Well With Little Supervision
Pros: Many young adults are looking forward to the rest of their lives, and think of 18 as the gateway to the world. Because of this, the age group tends to be optimistic about the future, and believe that anything is possible. This can sometimes create ambitious individuals that take employment very seriously and could potentially lead to very efficient and careful truck drivers.
Cons: Labor laws require youth under 16 that are employed to be either monitored continuously or checked in on a minimum of three times per shift. So a mere 2 years later, we are discussing putting a young adult in charge of a 26,000+ pound commercial motor vehicle? That seems a little risky, but every person is different and there may be some that would master the ability to work well with little supervision.
2. Ability to Properly Complete CMV Inspections and Identify Problems
Pros: Many a teenager spends the bulk of their free time working on their first car, or on their friend’s vehicles. In fact, as curiosity is such a wonderful attribute of youth, this age group may know much more that you would expect about the mechanical operation of vehicles. And, because high school education is still fresh in their minds, shop classes and such might allow an 18 year old to be more up-to-date with current mechanics than an older driver.
Cons: There’s not much better in the world than experience, and that only comes with age. There’s also risk for impatience in younger people, and the last thing you want is a truck driver who skims through the pre-trip inspection and misses something crucial. That said, this can happen at any age. Either way, it is necessary for anyone driving a CMV to be able to inspect the vehicle properly, identify problems, and understand the course of action to follow.
3. Strong Stress Management Skills for Long Haul Truck Driving
Pros: One of the stress causing factors of interstate truck driving is being away from family for long periods of time, and simply being alone. For the age group in discussion, this is not unlike attending college or taking that self-defining trip around the country to celebrate new found independence. It would seem that these particular stress factors might be reduced in younger drivers, especially if they don’t yet have families and children of their own.
Cons: Long-haul truck driving is considered to be one of the most stressful occupations out there. Are 18 year olds equipped to manage that stress? It would seem not – in fact, the American Psychological Association reports that Millennials have higher-than-average stress levels and “the ability to meet stress management goals seems to come with age”. Stress is not only bad for your physical health, but can lead to distracted drivers with unsafe habits.
4. Long Stamina and High Level of Alertness behind the Wheel
Pros: Youth might have an advantage with this requirement of truck drivers. In fact, if you have raised children, you may have wondered in the past where all of that energy comes from. 18 year olds seem to be ready and willing to take on the world, and less affected by drowsiness. It’s hard to say whether that is true or not, and as, always, varies from individual to individual.
Cons: We may feel that young adults are very alert, but alert to what? And there’s always the possibility of a young truck driver overdoing it because they feel unbeatable, which can lead to driver fatigue and present serious safety problems.
5. Highway Risk Assessment & Quick Driver Response Times
Pros: This is likely the most important skill needed to be a truck driver, whether you are driving interstate or intrastate. The perk for an 18 year old is that their brains are ready to respond quickly, and are often curious, able to observe situations and take in potential risks.
Cons: A young truck driver may be able to respond quickly, but will it be the best response for the situation? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that teens have the highest crash risk per mile traveled, and “overestimate their driving abilities and underestimate the dangers on the road”. When an individual can only have been driving a standard vehicle for 2 or 3 years, are they equipped with the experience necessary to handle a commercial motor vehicle?
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It’s hard to say which side of the driver age topic is right, because there are so many factors involved and individuals vary so much. What do you think about the subject – should CDL age limitations be reduced, maintained, or raised higher?
Regardless of your age or your opinion on CDL age limits, Office Tenders is here to make your job easier and help you stay on the road! With our comprehensive DOT paperwork services, you can worry less and drive more.
