What's happening
This bill lowers the minimum age for certain commercial driver's licenses from 21 to 18 for intrastate operation in New York.
Why it matters
Expands the eligible workforce. By allowing 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain certain commercial driver’s licenses for in-state (intrastate) driving, the bill could help address driver shortages in industries like trucking and delivery within New York State.
Economic impact potential. Younger drivers entering the commercial driving field may lead to increased employment opportunities for high school graduates and those not pursuing college, possibly stimulating local economies.
Safety and training considerations. The inclusion of hazardous materials (H) and tank vehicle (X) endorsements for 18- to 20-year-olds raises questions about the level of training and oversight needed to ensure safety on New York roads.
Interstate vs. intrastate distinction. The bill maintains the 21-year minimum for drivers engaged in interstate commerce, reflecting a balance between aligning with federal standards for cross-state driving and addressing state-level workforce needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Lower CDL Age to 18
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3781
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 14, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GRIFFO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the minimum age of eligibility for certain commercial driver's licenses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 520 of the laws of 1991, is amended to read as follows:
(a) An applicant for a class A license or for a commercial driver's license [which contains an H or an X endorsement or] which is valid for operation in interstate commerce shall be at least twenty-one years of age; provided, however, that an applicant for a class A license or for a commercial driver's license which contains an H or an X endorsement or which is valid for operation only in intrastate commerce shall be at least eighteen years of age.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09589-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the minimum age of eligibility for certain commercial driv- er's licenses
Purpose
To lower the age of CDL licensure from 21 years of age to 18 years of age.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 lowers from 21 to 18 the age at which an individual may obtain a CDL license.
Section 2 marks the effective date.
Justification
Trucking companies and small businesses that utilize vehicles requiring a CDL license are experiencing a glut in recruitment of new drivers. Many of these small businesses, as well as advocates for truckers, cite the age at which one may obtain their CDL as the greatest impediment. By allowing an individual to obtain their CDL at the age of 18, we can address the shortages cited by professionals in the industry and allow young adults who are interested in pursuing a career in trucking the opportunity to obtain their CDL in a time that is roughly equivalent to an apprenticeship/trade.
Legislative history
2018 - S. 8417a - Transportation Committee.
Fiscal implications
TBD.
Effective date
120 days.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.