Washington, D.C. — Rep. Brian Mast (R-Florida) introduced the Ceasing Age-Based (CAB) Trucking Restrictions Act in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 10, seeking to amend federal statutes that currently bar commercial drivers under the age of 21 from operating across state lines. The bill specifically targets a gap in current regulations, proposing that the movement of goods from a port of entry to a destination within the same state should not be classified as interstate commerce for the purpose of commercial driver’s license requirements.
The legislative move addresses a persistent bottleneck in the supply chain where young licensed drivers are excluded from specific logistics loops due to federal age restrictions. Under existing FMCSA regulations, drivers must be at least 21 years old to transport hazardous materials or drive trucks in interstate commerce. This CAB Trucking Restrictions Act seeks to carve out an exception for intrastate port operations, allowing 18-to-21-year-olds to operate commercial motor vehicles in these specific scenarios. The goal is to unlock immediate labor capacity for freight movements that originate outside the state or the United States but remain within a single state’s borders.
Mast framed the initiative as a necessary response to labor shortages and logistical inefficiencies. In his statement, he argued that the bill would eliminate logistical hurdles to maximize the available workforce in the United States. He identified the current age-based restrictions as a contributing factor to the ongoing supply chain crisis. The text of the bill explicitly states that transportation of goods from a port of entry to another location in the same state, as part of trade originating outside that state, shall not be considered interstate transportation for CDL purposes. The bill currently holds the backing of 19 other Republican members of the House.
What This Means for Drivers
For a CDL-A driver under 21, this legislation would open up a new category of permitted freight. Currently, these drivers are largely confined to intrastate routes that do not involve interstate commerce, which limits their earning potential and experience. If enacted, young drivers could legally haul containerized cargo from major port facilities to inland distribution centers within their home state. Fleet managers and owner-operators who recruit new talent would gain access to a larger pool of eligible drivers for port-specific routes, potentially reducing the time needed to fill open positions.
Industry Reaction
The trucking sector has long debated the impact of age restrictions on labor supply. While some industry groups support measures that expand the driver pool, others remain cautious about safety standards and insurance implications. The introduction of the CAB Act signals a legislative willingness to re-evaluate how interstate commerce is defined for port logistics. For trucking companies hiring new talent, the potential shift could mean more flexibility in scheduling and route assignment for their youngest and most recent graduates from driving schools. The bill now faces scrutiny in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where technical legal and safety reviews will determine its viability.
Key Points
- Rep. Brian Mast introduced the Ceasing Age-Based (CAB) Trucking Restrictions Act on January 10.
- The bill would allow drivers aged 18 to 21 to haul freight from ports within their own state.
- Proponents argue the measure will help address supply chain issues by expanding the labor force.
- Nineteen co-sponsors from the Republican party have currently backed the legislation in the House.
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