Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Brian Mast introduced the Ceasing Age-Based Trucking Restrictions (CAB) Act to make it easier for younger, American truck drivers to be able to work across state lines and help keep America’s supply chain keep moving.
“The CAB Act is about putting American workers first and fixing a system that doesn’t make sense. Right now, we’re blocking capable young Americans from taking trucking jobs, forcing companies to increasingly rely on foreign drivers who are unable to read English or understand road signs. If an 18-, 19-, or 20-year-old can safely drive a truck in their home state, they shouldn’t be sidelined by a federal technicality. This bill removes an unnecessary barrier, strengthens our supply chain, and ensures these jobs go to qualified Americans,” said Rep. Brian Mast.
Currently, federal law says truck drivers must be at least 21 years old to move “interstate commerce” — even if the trip starts and ends within the same state. For example, a 20-year-old with a commercial driver’s license can legally haul goods from one city to another inside a state, but can’t pick up cargo from a nearby port and deliver it down the road, because that pickup is technically treated as “interstate commerce” under federal rules.
The CAB Act would remove this age-based restriction and eliminate this technical obstacle. That means carriers could expand the pool of qualified drivers — including 18- to 20-year-olds, creating better paying jobs for Americans.
