Pilot Program to Allow 18- to 21-Year-Old Persons with Military Driving Experience to Operate Commercial Motor Vehicles in Interstate Commerce

This new information collection request (ICR) is to implement the Commercial Driver Pilot Program, required by Section 5404 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, 2015 (FAST Act). The primary purpose of the ICR is conduct research and analysis to determine whether younger drivers with military experience operating heavy vehicles have safety records similar to older entry-level drivers (i.e., 21–24 years old) and how specialized military training and experience impact the safety of this 18- to 20-year-old driving population. The collection of information is for voluntary reporting on a monthly basis, as well as on an ad hoc basis. FMCSA will monitor the monthly data being reported by the motor carriers and will identify drivers or carriers that may pose a risk to public safety. Data will be collected from CMV drivers and motor carriers over three phases. There are 5 information collections, but 4 information collection instruments for data to be collected for this program include: (1) motor carriers submit a one-time application to participate in the pilot program; (2) FMCSA collects driver activity and safety data from the motor carriers on a monthly basis throughout the pilot program; (3) There is no form for submission of miscellaneous data such as injury or fatal crash involving a participating driver, a driver choosing to leave the study, or a driver leaving the carrier; (4) a motor carrier will submit additional, optional data, such as OBMS logs or crash investigation findings, every month; and (5) individual drivers complete the information form and sign informed consent forms to participate in the pilot program (control, intrastate, and covered drivers). FMCSA will evaluate the motor carrier applications and approve participation based on acceptable safety criteria. Once motor carriers are approved, the research team will work with those carriers to identify drivers who will be participating in the pilot program and ensure the necessary information and consent forms are received prior to beginning monthly data collection. To minimize burden on carriers, the research team will work with each carrier individually to identify how the carrier would prefer to submit the monthly data on trip information, crashes, and investigations. This may vary depending on what records the carrier already collects and the size of the carrier. All carriers will submit data electronically via a secure file-transfer site hosted by the contractor. 37 comments were received in response to the 60-day FR comment period. 17 comments were in favor and 14 comments were in opposition of the pilot program, whereas 3 comments were neutral. Each comment and FMCSA's responses are included under Section 8 of the Supporting Statement. The comments may also be viewed at Regulations.gov.

The latest form for Pilot Program to Allow 18- to 21-Year-Old Persons with Military Driving Experience to Operate Commercial Motor Vehicles in Interstate Commerce expires 2022-04-30 and can be found here.

Motor Carrier Application

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Transportation - Ground Transportation

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