Bill > HR5563

This bill establishes the "DRIVE-SAFE Act," which creates a structured apprenticeship program for commercial truck drivers under 21 years old who want to drive interstate routes. The program requires apprentices to complete two separate probationary periods: a 120-hour initial period focusing on basic driving skills like traffic navigation, safety awareness, and speed management, and a subsequent 280-hour period emphasizing more advanced skills such as backing, maneuvering, pre-trip inspections, and trip planning. During both probationary periods, apprentices must be accompanied by an experienced driver (at least 26 years old with a clean driving record) and can only operate commercial motor vehicles with specific safety technologies like automatic transmissions, collision mitigation systems, and forward-facing video capture. Employers must maintain detailed records of the apprentice's performance and provide additional training if the apprentice is involved in any preventable accidents or moving violations. The bill does not change existing commercial driver's license requirements and allows employers to impose additional training requirements beyond the minimum standards. The Secretary of Transportation is tasked with developing implementing regulations within one year of the act's enactment, with the ultimate goal of safely introducing younger drivers to interstate commercial driving.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5563/all-info