The trucking industry plays a vital role in the U.S. economy, with trucks transporting about 70% of all freight in the country. Given the essential nature of this work, there’s been growing attention to the need for more truck drivers. In particular, many believe that young people, specifically those aged 18 to 20, could be a solution to the industry’s ongoing driver shortage. However, despite the demand for drivers, this age group may not be the ideal fit for the job—largely due to a combination of legal, economic, and practical reasons.
LEGAL RESTRICTIONS ON INTERSTATE DRIVING
One of the primary barriers to youth in trucking and entering the trucking industry is age-based legal restrictions. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), drivers must be at least 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle across state lines. While drivers aged 18-20 can obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and drive within the borders of their home state, the majority of new graduate trucking jobs involve interstate travel (cross-country driving). These drivers are effectively locked out of a significant portion of the job market due to this restriction, limiting their ability to gain full-time, long-haul trucking work.
The law’s reasoning centers on safety—studies have shown that young drivers are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, particularly when driving large vehicles. However, this legal barrier still leaves 18-20 year-olds with fewer opportunities to access the industry's most lucrative and high-demand positions.
LACK OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL ROUTES
Even though 18-20 year olds can drive within state lines, local or regional trucking jobs are harder to come by. Most entry-level trucking positions require long-haul driving, especially for larger fleets and national companies, due to the economies of scale involved. Young drivers who can’t cross state lines have fewer job opportunities available to them, which often leaves them stuck with low-paying or part-time positions that don’t provide a path to career advancement.
In addition, trucking companies typically prefer more experienced drivers for local routes, as navigating city streets or managing more complex delivery schedules often requires higher levels of skill and reliability. For a young driver without much road experience, it’s hard to compete with older candidates who already have the experience, safety records, and reliability that employers are looking for.
LACK OF INSURANCE AND LIABILITY CONCERNS
From an employer’s perspective, hiring younger drivers also presents some risks, particularly related to insurance and liability. Many insurance providers are hesitant to insure young drivers for commercial vehicles due to their perceived inexperience. As a result, companies may be reluctant to hire 18-20 year-olds, fearing higher insurance premiums and the risk of accidents. Even if a young driver does get hired, they may face difficulty securing the necessary insurance, which further limits their opportunities for employment in the trucking industry.
While trucking may seem like an ideal career path for many young adults—offering relatively high pay, job security, and the opportunity to see the country—the reality is more complex. The combination of legal restrictions, limited employment opportunities, and insurance challenges makes it difficult for 18-20 year-olds to thrive in the trucking industry. For now, the best fit for this age group remains in other sectors where career paths are more accessible and offer a better work-life balance. Until the industry addresses these systemic issues, younger workers may continue to look elsewhere for sustainable and rewarding careers.
Ultimately, as the trucking industry looks to bridge its driver shortage, it may need to rethink its approach to attracting and retaining younger drivers—especially if they want to avoid missing out on a new generation of talent.