(OMAHA, Neb. – Insurance News 360) – In July, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao, Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer, and Congressman Don Bacon announced the launch of a pilot program to allow 18-20 year olds with the U.S. military equivalent of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate large trucks in interstate commerce.

“This program will allow our Veterans and Reservists, to translate their extensive training into good-paying jobs operating commercial vehicles safely across the country, while also addressing the nationwide driver shortage,” said Secretary Chao.

The program will allow a limited bumber of people between 18 and 20 years of age to drive large trucks in interstate commerce, as long as they have the military equivalent of a commercial drivers license and sponsorship of a trucking company. This is directed in section 504 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

“This innovative program offers a way for our younger Veterans and Reservists to transition to the civilian workforce. I personally thank Secretary Chao and officials with the DOT who continue to find ways to utilize the training and talent of the men and women who served in uniform for our country,” said Congressman Bacon.

The program is expected to run for three years, and the safety records of these drivers will be compared to a control group of drivers.

Complete information on the pilot program is available on FMCSA’s website at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/under-21-pilot-program-frn.

Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.