119-HR-5563 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

Let younger commercial drivers (18–20) run interstate routes if they finish a rigorous apprenticeship with safety tech and in‑cab supervision; supporters say it eases workforce shortages, opponents cite teen crash risks. [4]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.5563 (119th): DRIVE-SAFE Act[1]American Trucking Associations — Trucking Industry Applauds Introduction of DRI…[2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Risk Factors for Teen Drivers | CDC

What It Does

The bill creates a national apprenticeship pathway so licensed 18–20‑year‑old commercial drivers can operate across state lines. It requires two supervised phases (at least 120 hours, then 280 hours) with performance benchmarks; mandates safety features (collision‑mitigation braking and forward‑facing event video) and an experienced driver in the cab; and keeps all normal CDL rules in place. The Transportation Department must issue regulations within one year of enactment. [4]Congress.gov — Text - H.R.5563 (119th): DRIVE-SAFE Act

Why it matters: It could open earlier, structured entry into long‑haul trucking—an industry that says it needs more drivers—while putting added training and technology around younger drivers. It would follow (and go beyond) FMCSA’s recently concluding Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot that tested under‑21 interstate driving under strict guardrails. [1]American Trucking Associations — Trucking Industry Applauds Introduction of DRI…[5]Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot…

Who’s For It

• Sponsors: Rep. Rick Crawford (R‑AR) with bipartisan co‑sponsors including Jared Golden (D‑ME), Bruce Westerman (R‑AR), Salud Carbajal (D‑CA), Darin LaHood (R‑IL), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D‑WA). [3]Congress.gov — All Info - H.R.5563 (119th): DRIVE-SAFE Act
• Industry groups: American Trucking Associations and members of the Drive Safe Coalition (e.g., manufacturers, retailers, foodservice distributors) say the bill addresses workforce needs while raising training standards. [1]American Trucking Associations — Trucking Industry Applauds Introduction of DRI…[6]Heavy Duty Trucking (Truckinginfo) — Coalition of Trade Groups Throw Support Be…
• Their argument: A structured, tech‑equipped apprenticeship lets under‑21 CDL holders already driving intrastate step up to interstate safely and helps relieve supply‑chain bottlenecks. [1]American Trucking Associations — Trucking Industry Applauds Introduction of DRI…

Who’s Against It

• Labor: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has long opposed allowing teens to drive big‑rigs interstate, warning it jeopardizes safety and doesn’t fix retention problems. [7]International Brotherhood of Teamsters — Hoffa: Teens Driving Trucks Interstate…
• Independent drivers: OOIDA argues younger‑driver schemes won’t solve turnover, could raise risks, and may advantage large/self‑insured carriers. [8]TruckNews — OOIDA urges Congress to strengthen training, licensing standards fo…[9]Overdrive — Trucking groups disagree on under-21 apprenticeship pilot program
• Safety advocates: Groups like the Truck Safety Coalition, CRASH, and PATT oppose under‑21 interstate driving programs, citing evidence that teen drivers crash more often than older drivers. [9]Overdrive — Trucking groups disagree on under-21 apprenticeship pilot program[10]Truck Safety Coalition — Statement of the Truck Safety Coalition on Pilot Progr…
• Context: Public‑health data consistently show teens have higher crash rates per mile than older drivers, which critics say should give Congress pause. [2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Risk Factors for Teen Drivers | CDC

What’s Next

Status: Referred to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and, on December 1, 2025, to its Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Next steps could include subcommittee hearings/markup, full committee action, and a House floor vote. [3]Congress.gov — All Info - H.R.5563 (119th): DRIVE-SAFE Act

Tone

Neutral, plain‑language overview for general readers; no endorsements implied.