Nashville, Tennessee — Fifteen Republican governors signed a joint letter to President Biden and issued executive orders under the Operation Open Roads initiative to ease trucking industry burdens. The letter, sent last week, calls for a rollback of federal regulations that the governors say choke the flow of goods across the country.
The initiative, spearheaded by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, responds to a driver shortage and persistent supply chain disruptions that have left retailers short on inventory and freight costs high. Lee and the other governors argue that high gas prices, energy costs, and a dearth of containers, chassis and qualified drivers have strained the nation’s shipping network. They point to the Biden administration’s policies as the main source of the problem and pledge state leadership to fill the gaps.
In the letter, the governors list fifteen state leaders: Bill Lee (TN), Doug Ducey (AZ), Mike DeWine (OH), Kevin Stitt (OK), Ron DeSantis (FL), Brian Kemp (GA), Brad Little (ID), Mike Parson (MO), Greg Gianforte (MT), Kim Reynolds (IA), Larry Hogan (MD), Pete Ricketts (NE), Doug Burgum (ND), Henry McMaster (SC), and Greg Abbott (TX). They ask the president to lower the minimum CDL age from 21 to 18, suspend federal policies that deter American manufacturing, end COVID‑19 vaccine mandates for private trucking businesses, and stop inflation‑driving federal spending. The letter also urges the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to study Tennessee laws that the governors say “unduly burden” CDL drivers, and the Department of Military and Department of Corrections to promote CDL training for former military and incarcerated individuals re‑entering the workforce.
What This Means for Drivers
For CDL‑A holders, the proposed age‑reduction could open entry to a broader pool of younger drivers, potentially easing the current shortage. Owner‑operators may see fewer federal hurdles if the Biden administration complies with the governors’ request to lift vaccine mandates, allowing them to operate without the extra compliance costs. Fleet managers could benefit from a streamlined training pipeline that the Tennessee executive order encourages, especially for veterans and former inmates who have proven reliability in the industry. The changes also promise a reduction in regulatory delays that currently slow dispatch and loading times at ports and inland facilities.
Industry Reaction
Carriers across the country have long cited FMCSA regulations as a cost driver, and many welcome the governors’ push for relief. Industry groups such as the Owner‑Operator Independent Drivers Association have expressed cautious optimism, noting that any rollback must balance safety with operational flexibility. Trucking companies hiring for OTR and regional routes are watching the developments closely, as a more permissive regulatory environment could translate into lower staffing costs and faster route execution.
Key Points
- Fifteen Republican governors signed a joint letter to President Biden under Operation Open Roads.
- Governors request a drop in the CDL age limit from 21 to 18 and the elimination of COVID‑19 vaccine mandates for trucking businesses.
- Tennessee’s executive order directs state agencies to study laws that burden CDL drivers and promote training for veterans and former inmates.
- The initiative aims to reduce supply chain bottlenecks by easing federal and state regulations that hamper trucking operations.
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