The DRIVE-SAFE Act establishes a structured apprenticeship program allowing drivers under age 21 to operate commercial trucks in interstate commerce, addressing a current federal prohibition. Young drivers must complete two sequential training periods—a 120-hour initial phase followed by a 280-hour advanced phase—during which they must demonstrate competency in specific skills like highway driving, safety awareness, vehicle maneuvering, and hours-of-service compliance while operating specially equipped trucks with automatic transmissions, collision avoidance systems, and video recording devices. Throughout both training periods, apprentices must be accompanied by an experienced driver (age 26 or older with a clean driving record and two years of commercial experience). The bill requires employers to maintain detailed training records, puts young drivers through remedial training if they cause preventable accidents or traffic violations, and mandates that the Secretary of Transportation issue implementing regulations within one year. The legislation does not exempt young drivers from obtaining a standard commercial driver's license and makes employers legally responsible for ensuring compliance with the apprenticeship requirements.
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