[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2477-2482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00733]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2018-0346]


Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program To Allow Persons Ages 
18, 19, and 20 To Operate Commercial Motor Vehicles in Interstate 
Commerce

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department 
of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice and establishment of pilot program.

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SUMMARY: On September 10, 2020, FMCSA proposed a pilot program to allow 
persons ages 18, 19, and 20 to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) 
in interstate commerce. That pilot was never implemented. However, the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which was signed into 
law on November 15, 2021, requires FMCSA to establish a pilot program 
that would allow employers to establish an apprenticeship program for 
certain 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old drivers to operate commercial 
vehicles in interstate commerce. This notice addresses the comments 
received on the September 10, 2020, notice and provides the details on 
the establishment of the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program 
required by the IIJA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nikki McDavid, Commercial Driver's 
License Division, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, [email protected], 
(202) 366-0831. If you have questions about viewing or submitting 
material to the docket, call DOT Dockets Operations, (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Definitions

    For the purposes of the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, 
FMCSA is using the following definitions, as prescribed in section 
23022 of IIJA:
    Apprentice--An individual who is under the age of 21 and holds a 
commercial driver's license (CDL).
    Commercial driver's license (CDL)--A license issued by a State to 
an individual authorizing the individual to operate a class of CMV.
    Commercial motor vehicle (CMV)--Any self-propelled or towed motor 
vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport 
passengers or property when the vehicle--(1) has a gross vehicle weight 
rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or 
gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, 
whichever is greater; or (2) is designed or used to transport more than 
8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or (3) is 
designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the 
driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or 
(4) is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of 
Transportation (the Secretary) to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and 
transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations 
prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, 
subchapter C.
    Driving time--All time spent at the driving controls of a CMV in 
operation.
    Experienced driver--An individual who
    1. Is not younger than 26 years of age;
    2. Has held a commercial driver's license for the 2-year period 
ending on the date on which the individual serves as an experienced 
driver;
    3. During the 2-year period ending on the date on which the 
individual serves as an experienced driver, has had no
    i. preventable accidents reportable to the Department; or
    ii. pointed moving violations; and
    4. Has a minimum of 5 years of experience driving a CMV in 
interstate commerce.
    On-duty time--All time from the time a driver begins to work or is 
required to be in readiness to work until the time the driver is 
relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work. On-duty 
time shall include:
    1. All time at a plant, terminal, facility, or other property of a 
motor carrier or shipper, or on any public property, waiting to be 
dispatched, unless the driver has been relieved from duty by the motor 
carrier;
    2. All time inspecting, servicing, or conditioning any CMV at any 
time;
    3. All driving time as defined in the term driving time;
    4. All time in or on a CMV, other than:
    i. Time spent resting in or on a parked vehicle, except as 
otherwise provided in Sec.  397.5;
    ii. Time spent resting in a sleeper berth; or
    iii. Up to 3 hours riding in the passenger seat of a property-
carrying vehicle moving on the highway immediately before or after a 
period of at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth;
    5. All time loading or unloading a CMV, supervising, or assisting 
in the loading or unloading, attending a CMV being loaded or unloaded, 
remaining in readiness to operate the CMV, or in giving or receiving 
receipts for shipments loaded or unloaded;
    6. All time repairing, obtaining assistance, or remaining in 
attendance upon a disabled CMV;
    7. All time spent providing a breath sample or urine specimen, 
including travel time to and from the collection site, to comply with 
the random, reasonable suspicion, post-crash, or follow-up testing 
required by part 382 when directed by a motor carrier;
    8. Performing any other work in the capacity, employ, or service 
of, a motor carrier; and
    9. Performing any compensated work for a person who is not a motor 
carrier.
    Pointed moving violation--A violation that results in points being 
added to the license of a driver, or a similar comparable violation, as 
determined by the Secretary.

II. Legal Basis

    Subject to limited exceptions for farm vehicle drivers of 
articulated CMVs (49 CFR 391.67) and private (non-business) motor 
carriers of passengers (49 CFR 391.68), drivers of CMVs engaged in 
interstate commerce must be at least 21 years of age, whether or not 
operation of the CMV requires a CDL (49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)).
    Under 49 U.S.C. 31315 and 31136(e), the Secretary has authority to 
grant waivers and exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 
Regulations (FMCSRs) and to conduct pilot programs in which one or more 
exemptions are granted to allow for the testing of innovative 
alternatives to certain FMCSRs. FMCSA must publish in the Federal 
Register a detailed description of each pilot program, including the 
exemptions being considered, and provide notice and an opportunity for 
public comment before the effective date of the program. The Agency is 
required to ensure that the

[[Page 2478]]

safety measures in the pilot programs are designed to achieve a level 
of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety 
that would be achieved through compliance with the safety regulations. 
The maximum duration of a pilot program is 3 years. The regulatory 
standards for pilot programs are codified at 49 CFR part 381, subparts 
D and E. At the conclusion of each pilot program, FMCSA must report to 
Congress its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including 
suggested amendments to laws and regulations that would enhance motor 
carrier, CMV, and driver safety, and improve compliance with the 
FMCSRs.
    Section 23022 of IIJA requires that the Secretary establish a pilot 
program allowing employers to establish apprenticeship programs that 
would enable 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old drivers with CDLs to operate a 
CMV in interstate commerce. Under this same section, the Secretary must 
establish the pilot program not later than 60 days after the date of 
enactment of IIJA.

III. Discussion

    FMCSA must publish in the Federal Register a detailed description 
of each pilot program, including the exemptions being considered, and 
provide notice and an opportunity for public comment before the 
effective date of the program. On September 10, 2020, FMCSA published a 
Federal Register notice proposing the requirements of a younger driver 
pilot program, including the exemptions being considered, and provided 
the public the opportunity to comment. The exemptions identified in 
that notice were relief from the effect of the intrastate only (or 
``K'') restriction that would appear on a CDL under 49 CFR 
383.153(a)(10)(vii) and an exemption from the requirement that a CMV 
driver operating in interstate commerce be at least 21 years of age 
under 49 CFR 391.11(b)(1). On November 15, 2021, IIJA, commonly 
referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was signed into 
law. Section 23022 of the BIL requires FMCSA to establish a pilot 
program that would allow motor carriers to begin an apprenticeship 
program as outlined in the BIL. The apprenticeship program must consist 
of two probationary periods, one for 120 hours and the other for 280 
hours, each of which includes minimum hours of driving time with an 
experienced driver and performance benchmarks. In addition, the CMVs to 
be operated during the pilot program must be equipped with specific 
vehicle safety technologies. Additional requirements can be found later 
in this notice.
    The pilot program proposed in the September 2020 Federal Register 
notice and the apprenticeship pilot program required under section 
23022 of the BIL are substantially the same. Both call for two 
probationary periods, one for 120 hours and the other for 280 hours, 
and specific vehicle safety technologies. Additionally, the exemptions 
required for this pilot program are the same as those identified in the 
September 2020 notice. Because of the similarity between the pilot 
program proposed in September of 2020 and the requirements for the 
pilot program mandated by section 23022 of the BIL, FMCSA has 
determined that the September 2020 notice, and the comments received 
thereon, can satisfy the notice and comment requirement from 49 CFR 
381.500(d). FMCSA summarizes the comments received on the September 
2020 notice below.

IV. Discussion of Comments

    In the September 10, 2020, Federal Register notice, FMCSA outlined 
its proposed pilot program and requested comments on any additional 
safeguards, the ability to obtain enough drivers, the vehicle 
technology requirements, limits to the distance apprentices can 
operate, data collection burdens, and limits on driver participation 
that FMCSA should consider in developing the pilot program 
requirements.
    FMCSA received 201 comments to the docket, of which 10 were 
duplicate submissions. Of the 191 distinct submissions, 127 commenters 
favored the proposal, while 50 opposed it. Twenty members of Congress 
submitted a letter to the docket supporting the program. Other 
commenters remained neutral, offered conditional support, provided 
responses to the questions posed in the notice, or offered other 
suggestions. More than 139 individuals and 62 organizations commented.
    The organizations that favored the pilot program included the 
American Trucking Associations, Commercial Vehicle Training 
Association, International Foodservice Distributors Association, 
National Association of Chemical Distributors, National Grocer 
Association, National Retail Federation, the Port Authority of New York 
and New Jersey, and the Truckload Carriers Association. In addition, 
numerous private citizens, motor carriers, training schools, State 
trucking associations, State Drivers Licensing Agencies, and other 
professional trade associations offered full or conditional support for 
the initiation of the younger driver pilot program proposed in the 
September 2020 Federal Register notice.
    Commenters including the American Association of Motor Vehicle 
Administrators, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Insurance Institute 
for Highway Safety, and several motor carriers, private citizens, and 
other professional trade associations asked for clarification, provided 
data, and offered recommendations.
    Those opposing the initiation of the younger driver pilot program 
included Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Citizens for Reliable 
and Safe Highways, the National Safety Council, National Transportation 
Safety Board, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, 
Parents Against Tired Truckers, and the Truck Safety Coalition. These 
opponents focused on safety, noting that younger drivers are more 
distracted and have higher rates of crashes, and cited the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, which says that teenagers are unable to 
correctly analyze dangerous situations.
    In addition, opponents also mentioned that the driver age should be 
raised to 25 years old and that younger drivers will not be able to 
handle differing conditions that exist across the country, such as 
weather, terrain, and varying laws.

Public Comments on 2020 Notice

    The 2020 Federal Register notice asked several questions related to 
the additional safeguards, the ability to obtain enough drivers, the 
vehicle technology requirements, limits to the distance apprentices may 
operate, data collection burdens, and limits on driver participation.
    Additional safeguards. FMCSA asked the public whether it should 
consider any additional safeguards to ensure that the pilot program 
provides an equivalent level of safety to the regulations without the 
age exemption. Most commenters that provided feedback on the question 
felt that no additional safeguards would be needed. The commenters that 
recommended specific safeguards cited behavior tests, pre-program 
Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) skills test, added training hours, 
recording devices, and additional insurance. Section 23022 of the BIL 
establishes detailed safeguards that should be included as part of the 
pilot program for driver apprentices, some of which were suggested by 
commenters (such as recording devices), and as such FMCSA is adopting 
these as part of the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program.
    Control group drivers. FMCSA asked the public if carriers would be 
able to obtain enough drivers to serve in the control group. The 
commenters that

[[Page 2479]]

provided feedback on the question believed that carriers should be able 
to obtain enough drivers for the control group. Some commenters did 
mention that small carriers may find it difficult to find control group 
drivers. FMCSA has decided to not collect data on a specific control 
grop and will instead utilize comparison data on current CMV drivers, 
including both intrastate and interstate.
    Vehicle technology requirements. FMCSA asked whether the technology 
requirements proposed for the pilot program would limit participation 
by smaller companies. The majority of commenters that provided feedback 
did believe that the technology requirements may limit smaller motor 
carriers from participating in the pilot program. One commenter felt 
that although the technology requirements may be costly initially, as 
technology becomes more available the costs will go down over time. 
FMCSA acknowledges that the requirements may limit smaller company 
participation, but as they are now required by section 23022 of the 
BIL, they must be included. FMCSA will take this fact into 
consideration when it analyzes the data and completes its final report 
on the pilot.
    Distance limits. FMCSA asked whether it should limit the distance 
that pilot program participants be allowed to operate. The majority of 
commenters that provided feedback on the question did not believe that 
the FMCSA should limit the distance a pilot program participant can 
operate. One commenter felt that a distance restriction would defeat 
the purpose of the pilot and would not allow for a true comparison in 
the data for the program. Section 23022 does not include limitations on 
the distance an apprentice can travel. FMCSA has determined that it 
will not add such limitations to the pilot program for the same reasons 
identified by the majority of the commenters.
    Data collection efforts. FMCSA asked if the data collection efforts 
proposed would be so burdensome for carriers as to discourage their 
participation. The commenters that responded to this question were 
split on whether the data collection efforts would be burdensome. Some 
felt that although the data collection is burdensome, it would be 
manageable and that most carriers have basic systems in place that 
would help with the data collection. FMCSA is aware of the information 
collection burden this pilot program creates (see discussion below), 
but determined that the reporting is necessary to inform the final 
report on the pilot program.
    Participation limits. FMCSA asked whether it should limit 
participation to drivers who have not been involved in a preventable 
crash. The commenters that responded to this question were split on 
this question. Those that felt FMCSA should not limit participation 
agreed that the limit would improve the safety of the program but would 
skew the data. FMCSA will review the records of proposed apprentice 
drivers to ensure they do not present a safety risk as outlined below 
in the pilot program requirements section. FMCSA will account for any 
resulting skew in the data collected.

V. Pilot Program Requirements and Procedures

Information Collection Approval

    On January 7, 2022, and in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA) of 1995, FMCSA requested the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) grant emergency clearance for the new information collection 
titled, ``Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program.'' (87 FR 1001). 
That notice summarized the expected data collection burdens on 
participants in the pilot program. Once emergency approval is granted, 
FMCSA will seek OMB approval for the full 3-year period using the usual 
PRA approval process, which will allow for both a 60-day and a 30-day 
comment period for the public.

Announcement of Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program

    Once implemented, FMCSA will publish, on the Agency's website at 
www.fmcsa.dot.gov, an announcement that applications are being accepted 
for participation in the pilot program. The website will also provide 
links to the application forms and other helpful information for motor 
carriers and drivers interested in participating in the pilot program.

Motor Carriers Needed

    Section 23022 of BIL requires that no more than 3,000 apprentices 
will participate in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program at any 
one time. For the purposes of determining paperwork burden estimates, 
FMCSA assumed a maximum of 1,000 participating motor carriers that 
would hire at least 3,000 apprenticeship pilot program participants. 
FMCSA recognizes additional apprentices will be needed to account for 
turnover due to drivers choosing to leave the program, drivers not 
progressing through the probationary periods, and drivers aging out of 
the program. The length of time during which replacement apprentices 
will be added will be determined by FMCSA based on the statistical and 
administrative needs of the pilot program data collection plan.
    The pilot program anticipates the results/data will allow for 
conclusions within a confidence level of 0.95 (i.e., significance level 
of 0.05) and statistical power of 80 percent.

Motor Carrier Requirements

    Motor carriers that would like to participate in the Safe Driver 
Apprenticeship Pilot Program must complete an application for 
participation (see additional details below) and submit monthly data on 
an apprentice's driver activity (e.g., vehicle miles traveled, duty 
hours, driving hours, off-duty time, or breaks), safety outcomes (e.g., 
crashes, violations, and safety-critical events), and any additional 
supporting information (e.g., onboard monitoring systems or 
investigative reports from previous crashes). In addition, carriers 
will be required to notify FMCSA within 24 hours of: (1) Any injury or 
fatal crash involving an apprentice; (2) an apprentice receiving an 
alcohol-related citation in any vehicle (e.g., driving under the 
influence or driving while intoxicated); (3) an apprentice choosing to 
leave the pilot program; (4) an apprentice leaving the carrier; or (5) 
an apprentice failing a random or post-crash drug/alcohol test.
    In addition to meeting the the requirements established in section 
23022 of BIL for an apprenticeship pilot program, carriers must 
register an apprenticeship program with the U.S. Department of Labor 
(DOL). While it is not a requirement that carriers become a registered 
apprenticeship program prior to applying to FMCSA's pilot program, 
FMCSA notes that interested carriers may want to work with DOL while 
FMCSA is finalizing its program and before the application period for 
FMCSA's pilot program is opened. Additionally, carriers will need to 
verify that proposed apprentices meet all other requirements to 
participate.
    Approved carriers will be publicly announced on the Agency's 
website to encourage potential apprentices to apply for employment 
directly with the identified carriers. Approved carriers will be able 
to assist apprentices (whom they employ) with completion of their 
application and participation agreement.
    Approved motor carriers must ensure that they hire apprentices that 
meet the requirements in the ``Apprentices'' portion of this Federal 
Register notice. If at any time while participating in the pilot 
program, an apprentice is

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disqualified for a major offense, serious traffic violation, railroad-
highway grade crossing violation, or violation of an out-of-service 
order, as outlined in 49 CFR 383.51 of the FMCSRs, the employer must 
immediately notify FMCSA and remove the apprentice from the program.
    Before an approved motor carrier can allow an apprentice to operate 
under the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, FMCSA will review 
the driver's safety performance history against its systems and will 
issue an exemption for each driver. The exemption allows the driver to 
operate in interstate commerce while participating in the pilot program 
despite being under 21 and having a ``K'' restriction on their CDL. An 
apprentice may not operate in interstate commerce without the exemption 
notice.
    Each motor carrier accepted into the pilot program must agree to 
comply with all pilot program procedures and requirements, including 
completing required forms, obtaining driver consent, and attending 
information sessions.

Motor Carrier Qualifications

    When FMCSA announces the implementation of the Safe Driver 
Apprenticeship Pilot Program, interested motor carriers will be 
required to complete the application form.
    To qualify for participation, the motor carrier must meet the 
following standards:
    1. Must have proper operating authority, if required, and 
registration;
    2. Must have at least the minimum levels of financial 
responsibility required by the FMCSRs;
    3. Must not be a high or moderate risk motor carrier as defined in 
the Agency's Federal Register notice titled, ``Notification of Changes 
to the Definition of a High Risk Motor Carrier and Associated 
Investigation'' published on March 7, 2016 (81 FR 11875);
    4. Must not have a conditional or unsatisfactory safety rating;
    5. Must not have any open enforcement actions (e.g., Imminent 
Hazard, Operations Out-of-Service (OOS) Orders, Patterns of Safety 
Violations) in the previous 6 years;
    6. Must not have a crash rate above the national average;
    7. Must not have a driver OOS rate above the national average; and
    8. Must not have a vehicle OOS rate above the national average.
    Enforcement actions resulting in civil penalties will be reviewed 
on a case-by-case basis. In addition, unpaid civil penalties may be 
grounds to deny participation in the pilot program.
    Approval for participation in the pilot program will also be 
dependent on the motor carrier's agreement to comply with all pilot 
program procedures, including the monthly submission of data.
    Approved motor carriers will be provided a letter acknowledging 
FMCSA's approval, the carrier's acceptance into the pilot program, and 
the company's exemption to allow approved apprentices to operate in 
interstate commerce. Approved motor carriers will be publicly announced 
on the Agency's website to encourage potential apprentices to apply 
through the identified carriers for participation.
    FMCSA will monitor motor carrier and driver performance throughout 
the pilot program to ensure safety. Motor carriers may be disqualified 
from the pilot program at any time if the:
    1. Carrier does not maintain proper operating authority, if 
required, and registration;
    2. Carrier does not maintain the required minimum levels of 
financial responsibility;
    3. Carrier is prioritized as a high risk;
    4. Carrier is prioritized as a moderate risk for 2 consecutive 
months;
    5. Carrier receives a conditional or unsatisfactory safety rating;
    6. Carrier is the subject of an open Federal enforcement action 
pending review (e.g., Imminent Hazard, Operations OOS Orders, Patterns 
of Safety Violations). Enforcement actions resulting in civil penalties 
will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
    7. For the last full calendar year, carrier has a crash rate (per 
million vehicle miles traveled) above the national average;
    8. Carrier has a driver OOS rate above the national average for 3 
consecutive months;
    9. Carrier has a vehicle OOS rate above the national average for 3 
consecutive months; or
    10. Carrier failed to report monthly data as required.
    FMCSA reserves the right to remove a carrier from the program at 
its discretion if it is determined there is a safety risk.

Establishment of Apprenticeship Program

    As required by section 23022 of IIJA and as a condition of 
participating in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, approved 
motor carriers must also establish an apprenticeship program. The 
apprenticeship program must consist of a 120-hour probationary period 
and a 280-hour probationary period for apprentice drivers. Nothing in 
this notice prevents an employer from imposing additional requirements 
on an apprentice.

120-Hour Probationary Period

    During the 120-hour probationary period, the employing motor 
carrier must ensure the apprentice:
    1. Completes 120 hours of on-duty time, of which not less than 80 
hours shall be driving time in a CMV; and
    2. Is competent in each of the following areas: Interstate, city 
traffic, rural 2-lane, and evening driving; safety awareness; speed and 
space management; lane control; mirror scanning; right and left turns; 
and logging and complying with rules relating to hours of service.

280-Hour Probationary Period

    After the 120-hour probationary period, the motor carrier must 
ensure the apprentice completes a 280-hour probationary period. The 
employing motor carrier must ensure the apprentice:
    1. Completes 280 hours of on-duty time, of which not less than 160 
hours shall be driving time in a CMV; and
    2. Is competent in each of the following areas: Backing and 
maneuvering in close quarters; pre-trip inspections; fueling 
procedures; weighing loads, weight distribution, and sliding tandems; 
coupling and uncoupling procedures; and trip planning, truck routes, 
map reading, navigation, and permits.

CMV Technologies

    During both the 120-hour probationary period and the 280-hour 
probationary period, the employing motor carrier must ensure the 
apprentice only drives a CMV that has an automatic manual or automatic 
transmission; an active braking collision mitigation system; a forward-
facing video event capture system; and a governed speed of 65 miles per 
hour at the pedal and under adaptive cruise control. In addition, the 
apprentice must be accompanied in the passenger seat of the CMV by an 
experienced driver. Nothing in the notice prevents an employer from 
requiring or installing additional technologies in a CMV.

Records Retention

    The employing motor carrier must maintain records relating to the 
satisfaction of the performance benchmarks for each apprentice that is 
in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program.

[[Page 2481]]

Apprentice Prohibitions

    The employing motor carrier must ensure that the apprentice does 
not transport passengers or hazardous materials, or operate double- or 
triple-trailer combinations or cargo tank vehicles while participating 
in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, regardless of any 
license endorsements held.

Reportable Incidents

    As outlined in section 23022 of BIL, the employing motor carrier 
must ensure that, if an apprentice is involved in a reportable, 
preventable crash or receives a pointed moving violation while driving 
a CMV, the apprentice will undergo remediation and additional training 
until the apprentice can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the motor 
carrier, competence in each of the performance benchmarks. The extent 
of remediation and additional training will be left to the discretion 
of the employing motor carrier. FMCSA will clarify the standards for 
remediation and additional training on its website once the Agency 
begins accepting applications for the pilot program.

Registering an Apprenticeship Program With the DOL

    Employing motor carriers that are approved to participate in the 
Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program must also register an 
apprenticeship program with the DOL, in accordance with the regulations 
found at 29 CFR part 29. If an employing motor carrier already has a 
registered apprenticeship program with the DOL, the motor carrier must 
ensure it meets the requirements for the Safe Driver Apprenticeship 
Pilot Program and maintains requirements for DOL's Registered 
Apprenticeship Program.

Apprentice Requirements

    Drivers of CMVs, as defined in 49 CFR 383.5 and 390.5T, engaged in 
interstate commerce, must be at least 21 years of age (Sec.  
391.11(b)(1)). An 18-year-old commercial CLP or CDL holder may drive in 
intrastate commerce only.
    An apprentice that participates in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship 
Pilot Program will be provided relief from sections of 49 CFR parts 383 
and 391 concerning minimum age requirements. Specifically, FMCSA will 
provide relief from the effect of the intrastate only (or ``K'') 
restriction that appears on a CDL in accordance with Sec.  
383.153(a)(10)(vii) and an exemption from the requirement in Sec.  
391.11(b)(1) that a CMV driver operating in interstate commerce be at 
least 21 years of age.
    An apprentice may drive a CMV in interstate commerce while 
participating in the 120-hour probationary period or the 280-hour 
probationary period under the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program 
so long as an experienced driver accompanies them in the passenger seat 
of the CMV.
    An apprentice may drive a CMV in interstate commerce after the 
apprentice completes the 120-hour probationary period and the 280-hour 
probationary period; however, the apprentice is still considered to be 
participating in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, and 
their safety performance must continue to be monitored by the employing 
motor carrier, including monthly safety performance reports filed with 
FMCSA, until the driver reaches the age of 21.
    An apprentice may not participate in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship 
Pilot Program if during the 2-year period immediately preceding the 
date of hire, the driver:
    1. Had more than one license (except for a military license);
    2. Had his or her license suspended, revoked, cancelled or 
disqualified for a violation related to 49 CFR 383.51 in any State;
    3. Had any conviction for a violation of military, State, or local 
law relating to motor vehicle traffic control (other than parking 
violation) arising in connection with any traffic crash and have no 
record of a crash in which he/she was at fault; or
    4. Had been convicted of any violations described below in any type 
of motor vehicle:
    a. Had been under the influence of alcohol as prescribed by State 
law;
    b. Had been under the influence of a controlled substance;
    c. Had an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater while operating 
a CMV;
    d. Refused to take an alcohol test as required by a State under its 
implied consent laws or regulations as defined in 49 CFR 383.72;
    e. Left the scene of a crash;
    f. Used the vehicle to commit a felony;
    g. Drove a CMV while his or her CDL is revoked, suspended, 
cancelled; or he or she is disqualified from operating a CMV;
    h. Caused a fatality through the negligent operation of a CMV 
(including motor vehicle manslaughter, homicide by motor vehicle, or 
negligent homicide);
    i. Had more than one conviction for any of the violations described 
below in any type of motor vehicle;

--Drove recklessly, as defined by State or local law or regulation 
(including offenses of driving a motor vehicle in willful or wanton 
disregard for the safety of persons or property);
--Drove a CMV without the required CDL;
--Violated a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic 
control prohibiting texting while driving; or
--Violated a State or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic 
control restricting or prohibiting the use of a hand held mobile 
telephone while driving.

    The apprentice must also agree to the release of specific 
information by their employing motor carrier, to FMCSA for purposes of 
the pilot program; meet all FMCSR requirements (except age) for 
operating a CMV in interstate commerce; operate primarily in interstate 
commerce; and, if selected; maintain a good driving record (e.g., free 
of any Sec.  383.51 violations).
    If at any time while participating in this pilot program, an 
apprentice is disqualified for a major offense, serious traffic 
violations, railroad-highway grade crossing violation, or violation of 
an out-of-service order, as outlined in 49 CFR 383.51 of the FMCSRs, he 
or she will be disqualified and removed from the program.
    An apprentice may not transport passengers or hazardous materials, 
or operate double- or triple-trailer combinations or cargo tank 
vehicles while participating in the pilot program, regardless of any 
license endorsements held.
    If a driver reaches age 21 during the pilot program, the driver 
will no longer be considered an apprentice. If an apprentice leaves an 
approved motor carrier during the pilot program, he or she is not 
approved to operate in interstate commerce unless re-employed with 
another approved motor carrier participating in the pilot program. A 
new apprentice application must be submitted for any new or additional 
hires by the approved motor carrier so that FMCSA can verify 
eligibility as part of the Agency's oversight of the pilot program.

Other Requirements and Information

    FMCSA will prioritize approval of carriers to participate and 
continue based on these carriers' safety performance records over time, 
selecting only those with the highest or best relative performance.

Comparison Groups

    FMCSA will compare the safety performance data of 18-, 19-, and 20-
year-old intrastate drivers to known safety performance of intrastate 
drivers

[[Page 2482]]

and interstate drivers. FMCSA will use existing data from FMCSA systems 
to compare current safety and performance of CMV operators to the 
safety and performance of apprentices participating in the pilot 
program. Additionally, FMCSA will analyze the performance of 
apprentices before, during, and after their probationary periods.

Monitoring and Oversight

    FMCSA will review both monthly data submitted by approved motor 
carriers and its own databases including, but not limited to, the Motor 
Carrier Management Information System, Safety Measurement System, CDL 
Information System, the Licensing and Insurance system, and the Drug 
and Alcohol Clearinghouse. FMCSA reserves the right to remove any motor 
carrier or driver from the pilot program for reasons including, but not 
limited to, failing to meet any of the requirements of the program.

Length and Termination of Pilot Program

    Under 49 CFR part 381, FMCSA can continue the pilot program for up 
to 3 years, but may conclude the program sooner if there is sufficient 
data to analyze the safety of the pilot program drivers or if there is 
reason to believe the program is not achieving an equivalent level of 
safety that would be achieved by complying with the regulations. 
Additionally, the BIL requires that on the date that is 3 years after 
the date of establishment of the pilot program, FMCSA will terminate 
the program. At that time, any driver under the age of 21 who has 
completed an apprenticeship program may continue to drive a CMV in 
interstate commerce until turning 21, unless it is determined a safety 
concern exists.

Meera Joshi,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2022-00733 Filed 1-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P