1
2
3
4
5
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This resolution of the Legislature describes a voluntary compact between contiguous
10 states that permits commercial drivers who are 18 to 21 years old to operate a
11 commercial motor vehicle in a contiguous state.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ describes a voluntary compact between contiguous states that permits commercial
15 drivers who are 18 to 21 years old with a commercial driver license from a
16 consenting state to operate a commercial motor vehicle in a consenting, contiguous
17 state; and
18 ▸ urges Congress to enact legislation permitting Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana,
19 Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and
20 Wyoming to enter into a voluntary compact to establish a graduated commercial
21 driver licensing program to allow drivers who are 18 to 21 years old with a
22 commercial driver license from a consenting state to operate a commercial motor
23 vehicle in a consenting, contiguous state.
24 Special Clauses:
25 None
26
27 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
28 WHEREAS, federal law requires drivers to be at least 21 years old to operate a
29 commercial motor vehicle interstate;
30 WHEREAS, in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico,
31 North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, drivers who are 18 to 21 years old
32 may operate a commercial motor vehicle intrastate;
33 WHEREAS, commercial industry relies on the trucking industry to deliver the goods
34 produced across state lines;
35 WHEREAS, it is difficult to recruit drivers who are 21 years old or older into the
36 trucking industry when they have already started down another career path;
37 WHEREAS, in the next decade the trucking industry will face a severe shortage of
38 drivers due to increased shipping demand and a high number of retiring drivers;
39 WHEREAS, the unemployment rate for the age group 18 to 21 years old is higher than
40 that of other age groups;
41 WHEREAS, the safety performance statistics for passenger drivers who are 18 to 21
42 years old do not necessarily reflect the safety performance of the same age group for
43 commercial drivers;
44 WHEREAS, the safety benefits of graduated licensing for young passenger vehicle
45 drivers are well documented, and similar safety benefits may be possible with a graduated
46 commercial licensing approach;
47 WHEREAS, a graduated commercial driver licensing program could include
48 conditional lowering of the 21-year-old age minimum requirement to allow drivers who are 18
49 to 21 years old with a commercial driver license from a consenting state to operate a
50 commercial motor vehicle in a consenting, contiguous state, as mutually agreed between the
51 two states; and
52 WHEREAS, consenting to a voluntary compact between Arizona, Colorado, Idaho,
53 Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and
54 Wyoming will allow these contiguous states to establish a graduated commercial driver
55 licensing program to allow drivers who are 18 to 21 years old with a commercial driver license
56 from a consenting state to operate a commercial motor vehicle in a consenting, contiguous
57 state, as mutually agreed between the two states:
58 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
59 urges Congress to enact legislation permitting Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska,
60 Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming to enter into
61 a voluntary compact to establish a graduated commercial driver licensing program to allow
62 drivers who are 18 to 21 years old with a commercial driver license from a consenting state to
63 operate a commercial motor vehicle in a consenting, contiguous state, as mutually agreed
64 between the two states.
65 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the legislative
66 bodies of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota,
67 Oregon, South Dakota, and Wyoming; the Majority Leader of the United States Senate; the
68 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; and the members of Utah's
69 congressional delegation.