ROUTE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6642
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-30T08:06:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The ROUTE Act aims to address driver shortages in the trucking industry by allowing limited interstate operation of commercial motor vehicles (large trucks used for commerce) for qualified drivers aged 18 to 20, who are currently restricted to operations within their home state.
Key Provisions
- Definition of Eligible Driver: An "eligible driver" is someone aged 18 to under 21 who holds a commercial driver's license (CDL) limited to intrastate operations (within one state only).
- Authorized Operations: Eligible drivers may operate commercial vehicles in interstate commerce (across state lines) but only within a 150 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location.
- Operational Limits:
- Drivers must return to their work location and be released from duty within 14 consecutive hours of departure.
- They must have at least 10 consecutive hours off duty between each work period.
- The work reporting location must remain in the driver's home state where their CDL was issued.
- Legislative Changes: Adds a new section (31318) to Chapter 313 of Title 49, United States Code, which overrides conflicting laws for these limited operations. Also updates the chapter's table of contents.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
Current federal law (under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations) prohibits drivers under 21 from obtaining a CDL for interstate commerce, restricting them to intrastate driving. This bill creates a narrow exception, permitting short-range interstate trips without requiring a full interstate CDL, while maintaining safety rules like hours-of-service limits.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may need to update enforcement guidelines, training materials, and monitoring to ensure compliance within the 150-mile radius, potentially increasing administrative workload but easing industry bottlenecks.
- On Citizens: Young drivers (18-20) gain opportunities for broader work experience and earnings in trucking, which could help alleviate labor shortages. However, it may raise safety concerns for the public due to less experienced drivers on interstate routes, though limits aim to mitigate risks.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. commerce.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Young Truck Drivers (18-20): Primary beneficiaries, gaining limited access to interstate jobs.
- Trucking Companies and Industry: Can hire and deploy younger drivers for regional hauls, potentially reducing costs and addressing a nationwide driver shortage.
- State Transportation Departments: Must verify and issue compliant CDLs, with implications for licensing and oversight.
- General Public and Road Users: Indirectly affected through potential changes in highway safety and traffic patterns in border regions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Introduces a targeted waiver to federal CDL age requirements, which could set a precedent for future exceptions in transportation safety laws. It emphasizes safety through strict geographic and time-based restrictions but may face challenges if violations lead to accidents, prompting FMCSA rule-making or court reviews.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the bill operates within Congress's authority over interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause.
- Political: Addresses industry lobbying for workforce expansion amid aging drivers and supply chain pressures, but could spark debates on balancing economic needs with road safety, especially for inexperienced youth.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Responsible Opportunity for Under-21 Trucking Engagement Act — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (3 pages)