Everyone knows once the economy kicks back into high gear, there will be plenty of “Drivers Wanted” signs hung out, especially at truckload fleets.

That’s why we applauded heartily when the Truckload Carriers Assn. (TCA) first floated the idea of lowering the driving age for commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to 18. Oddly enough, current federal regs require interstate truckers to be at least 21, but in all but two states commercial vehicles can be legally operated in intrastate commerce by drivers under 21.

In 2000, TCA petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for authority to run a pilot program to determine the feasibility of such younger drivers. Now comes the good news/bad news. FMCSA has shot down TCA’s request–but it has not barred the door entirely.

Driving schools and trucking insurance providers supported the pilot program–with some experts stressing that safe drivers are a product of their environment and training, not their age.

I couldn’t agree more. Besides possessing aptitude for handling vehicular machinery, what is needed to succeed as a professional driver is maturity. Just as some folks are ready to serve their country at 18, some are certainly mature enough to start a trucking career. Others, whether 30, 40, or 50, never will be.

While disappointed by FMCSA’s denial of the pilot petition, TCA president Bob Hirsch said he was “nonetheless pleased that FMCSA did not rule out entirely considering a similar pilot in the future.” But denying TCA a chance to run with this ball does not bode well for the government carrying it across the goal line.

Why should you care? Well, the sooner the driver shortage issue goes way, the sooner trucking will offer a more stable hiring environment.

And that means you will finally be paid–rewarded–for how you do what you do. Not just for being another warm body with a CDL.