Program Challenges

In 2021, Congress created the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program to allow up to 3,000 qualified drivers aged 18 to 20 to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) across state lines under close supervision. The program was designed to expand the driver workforce while maintaining strong safety protections.

Under SDAP, each apprentice must:

• Complete two probationary periods totaling 400 hours of on-duty time, including at least 240 hours of driving in a CMV.

• Be accompanied in the cab by an experienced driver throughout the probationary period.

• Train in vehicles equipped with modern safety technologies, such as active braking and collision-mitigation systems.
   

Program Challenges
 

Despite its robust safety framework, the pilot program has struggled to reach its intended scale.

• Due to non-statutory requirements introduced during implementation, carrier participation has been limited.

• As of the end of 2024, only 68 apprentices had applied to participate nationwide.

• Without congressional action, the pilot will sunset in 2025, ending the only existing pathway for younger drivers to enter interstate trucking.

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Legislative Solution

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CVTA supports congressional efforts to establish a permanent, safety-focused pathway for 18–20-year-old drivers. Congress should reintroduce the DRIVE-SAFE Act (117th Congress) to create a long-term apprenticeship program for licensed CMV drivers under 21, preserving SDAP’s rigorous training and technology requirements while ensuring a sustainable pipeline of skilled, safety-minded professionals.

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CVTA Position

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The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) supports legislation that advances opportunities for 18–20-year-old drivers to participate in interstate commerce safely. A well-structured apprenticeship program—with clear standards for training, supervision, and technology—can expand the professional driver workforce without compromising safety.

 

CVTA urges Congress to:

• Extend or replace the SDAP Program before its scheduled sunset in 2025.

• Reintroduce and pass the DRIVE-SAFE Act to establish a permanent, safety-based apprenticeship pathway for drivers under 21.

• Retain all of SDAP’s safety provisions, including probationary-hour requirements, experienced-driver oversight, and use of safety-equipped vehicles.

 

By aligning workforce needs with rigorous safety standards, Congress can help young professionals build rewarding careers in trucking while strengthening the nation’s supply-chain resilience.