That’s a question that seems to be dividing large groups across the country as trucking companies lobby to attract more drivers from our younger generation.
A highway funding bill working its way through Congress would, if passed, create a pilot program allowing groups of states to create “compacts” permitting truckers under the age of 21 years old.
The Wall Street Journal reports (Read the full article here) that the Senate version lowers the minimum age to 18, while the House bill allows drivers older than 19-and-a-half.
And even the newspapers are weighing into the debate. USA Today, in an editorial that the paper published just before Labor Day, argues that: “The worst idea making its way through Congress would allow drivers as young as 18 to drive commercial trucks across state lines.” (Read the full editorial here)
We disagree with USA Today and those opposed to the idea of lowering the minimum age. We think that if you can vote in public elections, and enlist in the military at 18, and go off to war to fight for your country, then you should be able to drive a commercial truck across state lines.
Especially since there has been a shortage of drivers for quite a while. Maybe some people prefer an 80-year-old driving the semi?
18-year-olds who get their cdl are not the same ones riding around on crotch rockets! They are motivated and responsible.
Maybe people want to drive to the ports themselves to pick up their own products? Come on Congress. Let’s get this Bill approved and people who want to work, working!