In an effort to address the persistent driver shortage in the trucking industry, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act in both the House and Senate. This bicameral initiative reflects a renewed legislative push to modernize and streamline the commercial driver’s licensing (CDL) process while maintaining high safety standards.
A Bipartisan Effort to Cut Bureaucratic Red Tape
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), a member of the commercial transportation policy committee, and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a member of the highway policy committee, co-lead the Senate version of the bill. Their joint effort underscores the importance of ensuring that America’s supply chains remain robust and efficient.
Lummis emphasized Wyoming’s reliance on trucking for the delivery of goods to its rural communities. “Streamlining commercial driver’s licensing and cutting this burdensome red tape will ensure the people in the Cowboy State can rely on deliveries so they get the resources they need,” she said.
Kelly echoed this sentiment, highlighting Arizona’s dependence on commercial drivers to keep goods moving across the country. “I’m glad to work with my colleague Sen. Lummis to cut red tape, support the trucking industry, and ensure the federal government is doing everything it can to strengthen our economy and lower costs for families in Arizona.”
Key Provisions of the LICENSE Act
The legislation aims to modernize the CDL process by:
- Allowing state driver’s licensing agencies to use certified third-party testers to administer CDL knowledge tests.
- Permitting states to conduct driving skills tests for certain out-of-state applicants.
These measures align with guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and are designed to reduce the backlog and delays associated with CDL testing while ensuring rigorous safety standards.
Broad Congressional Support and Industry Backing
The House version of the bill has garnered bipartisan support from lawmakers, including Republican Reps. Darin LaHood (Ill.), Troy Balderson (Ohio), and Dusty Johnson (S.D.), as well as Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Jim Costa (Calif.), and Josh Harder (Calif.).
LaHood emphasized the economic importance of the bill, stating, “Illinois and America’s truck drivers are essential to securing our supply chains and supporting our economy. Unfortunately, we are experiencing an unprecedented shortage of qualified truck drivers because of bureaucratic red tape.”
He further noted that the LICENSE Act will “streamline the process for future commercial drivers to get their licenses while maintaining high safety standards.”
Support from the Trucking Industry
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Wyoming Trucking Association (WTA) are among the major industry stakeholders endorsing the bill. ATA’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs and safety policy, Dan Horvath, praised the bill for incorporating regulatory flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic that improved operational efficiency without compromising safety.
“When the FMCSA provided flexibility on several regulatory requirements during the COVID-19 public health emergency, drivers and motor carriers gained new operational efficiencies without compromising safety,” Horvath stated. “The LICENSE Act leverages the lessons learned during the pandemic and makes permanent two common-sense waivers that were reissued numerous times since 2020 to reduce administrative burdens for Americans pursuing rewarding careers in the trucking industry.”
Wyoming Trucking Association President and CEO Kevin Hawley reinforced this perspective, arguing that these waivers have already proven their effectiveness in balancing safety and accessibility. “The LICENSE Act would make a common-sense change to streamline the arduous process for obtaining a CDL, removing unnecessary burdens on our drivers and supply chain,” Hawley stated.
The Road Ahead
The bill has been referred to the appropriate committees in both the House and Senate, though formal consideration has yet to be scheduled. Given the ongoing concerns about supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages, this legislation has the potential to significantly impact the trucking industry if enacted.
With bipartisan backing and strong industry support, the LICENSE Act represents a promising step toward alleviating one of the most pressing challenges facing the U.S. transportation sector. As discussions unfold, stakeholders across the industry will be watching closely, hoping for swift legislative action to support America’s trucking workforce and supply chains.