Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Dec. 15, 2025:
Bill would create ‘commonsense’ route for 18-20-year-old truckers to drive interstate
A new bill introduced in the U.S. House Thursday, Dec. 11, would allow under-21 CDL holders to drive across state lines under limited circumstances.
Federal regulations currently prohibit truck drivers under the age of 21 to cross state lines, regardless of the distance of their haul. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently concluded its Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, which allowed motor carriers to apply to be allowed to employ 18-20-year-old truck drivers to drive interstate after completing two separate probationary training periods.
The new “Responsible Opportunity for Under-21 Trucking Engagement (ROUTE) Act” was introduced by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming) and referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with no cosponsors. It would allow any 18-20-year-old CDL holder to operate a commercial motor vehicle within a 150 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location. These drivers would be required to return to that normal work reporting location and be released from work within 14 hours of departing. Drivers would also be required to take a standard 10-hour off-duty period before returning to work.
“Federal barriers prevent capable young Americans from entering the trucking industry,” Hageman said. “At the same time, we are removing illegal aliens who unlawfully obtained CDLs. That makes it even more important to open doors for American workers to fill these jobs and strengthen our economy. Wyoming and other rural states face needless challenges because federal regulation blocks young CDL holders from making short interstate trips. It makes no sense that drivers are allowed to travel from Gillette to Evanston but prohibited from driving right across the state line to Belle Fourche, South Dakota.”
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association reiterated Hageman’s sentiments, voicing its support for the legislation. OOIDA President Todd Spencer said the current regulation “creates situations that simply do not make sense, like allowing a driver in Kansas City, Kansas, to haul clear across the state to its border with Colorado, but not deliver a few miles away in Kansas City, Missouri.”
Spencer added that the ROUTE Act solves this issue “in a safe and practical way. A 150 air-mile operating radius gives drivers the chance to build skills in familiar conditions, receive the training they need, and stay closer to home while gaining experience.”
Former owner-operator and longtime small-fleet advocate Joe Rajkovacz, who retired last year from his government affairs role with the Western States Trucking Association, called himself “an outlier, in that I support a pathway for under 21 since I began driving at 18 but couldn’t cross a state line.” In his mind, crossing an invisible line into another state doesn’t suddenly make a driver more unsafe.
Despite his support, Rajkovacz said he’s doubtful “the bill goes anywhere” due to the discussion around younger drivers and the ability to get under-21 truck drivers insured, “so the value of an allowance such as this would be limited,” he said.
Wyoming windstorms causing truck blow-overs
An ongoing high-wind event in Wyoming has caused 39 vehicles to crash on Wyoming highways so far this week, particularly Dec. 9-11, the Wyoming Department of Transportation reported.
With winter being the state’s windiest months, the WYDOT and Wyoming Highway Patrol are reminding drivers of all vehicle types to use caution and pay close attention to highway signage.
Most crashes occurred on I-80 near Cooper Cove west of Laramie, I-25 on Wyo Hill south of Cheyenne, and I-25 near Wheatland at Bordeaux. Many blown-over vehicles were underweight, and some trailers were even empty, WYDOT noted.
The department updates the minimum required weights for high-profile vehicles and lists them on overhead digital messaging signs based on real-time wind speeds. Drivers should check weight-based wind closure information often to ensure travel is permitted.
While commercial trucks are certainly at risk, other vehicles like campers, toy-haulers and other large trailers are also susceptible to blowing over.
Drivers can check wind closures and wind speeds anytime at www.wyoroad.info or via the Wyoming 511 mobile app.
During powerful wind events, WYDOT and the Wyoming Highway Patrol urge all travelers to heed wind closure warnings. Driving a prohibited vehicle during these closures can lead to hefty fines, including fines for any damage to the roadway. In addition, a single blow-over event often occupies several troopers, along with additional towing and emergency vehicles, tying up critical resources that may be needed elsewhere and sometimes forcing the highway to close to all traffic for debris cleanup.
Vehicles not included in wind restrictions should use caution on windy days, too. Stay alert for blowing snow, slick spots and other potential hazards.
