FMCSA Blocks 17-Year-Olds from Truck Driving Permits
Published Date: 4/28/2025
Notice
Summary
FMCSA said no to Connell High School’s request to let 17-year-olds get a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) for their truck driving program. They want to keep the minimum age at 18 to keep everyone safe. This means students have to wait until they’re 18 to start training, and the school won’t get a special pass for the next five years.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
CLP Minimum Age Remains 18
Connell High School asked to let 17-year-olds get a commercial learner's permit (CLP) via a two-semester (one school year) program with 180 hours of training, seeking a 5-year exemption. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration denied the application, so students must wait until they are 18 to obtain a CLP.
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