Bill Overview
Title: TRUCKS Act of 2022
Description: TRUCKS Act of 2022 This bill revises requirements for obtaining a commercial driver's license. The bill allows states to exempt employees in certain agriculture-related industries and employees of state, local, and tribal governmental entities from entry-level driver training requirements to obtain a commercial driver's license. Additionally, a state may issue restricted commercial driver's licenses to owners and employees of certain small businesses, including those that employ not more than nine employees who hold a commercial driver's license as of the date on which the restricted commercial driver's license is issued.
Sponsors: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Target Audience
Population: Commercial drivers and potential commercial drivers in the US
Estimated Size: 3000000
- Commercial driver's licenses are primarily relevant to individuals engaged in driving commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses.
- The exemption from entry-level driver training requirements will impact agriculture-related industry employees, potentially increasing the number of eligible commercial drivers in that sector.
- The bill affects state, local, and tribal governmental entities by altering the requirements for their employees to obtain commercial driver's licenses.
- Small business owners and employees, who drive commercial vehicles and operate businesses with limited staff, will be directly impacted by the ability to obtain restricted licenses more easily.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects individuals who need commercial driver's licenses for work in agriculture-related industries, small businesses, and governmental entities.
- The $5,000,000 budget in the first year restricts the number of people directly benefited by the policy.
- Commercial drivers, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, may see a significant reduction in costs and barriers associated with obtaining a license, enhancing their livelihood opportunities.
- High commonness individuals, such as existing truck drivers or those considering entering the commercial driving industry, will likely see larger benefits.
- Individuals unaffected by the policy may include those who already possess commercial licenses without constraints and those outside the affected industries.
- The focus is also on increasing the workforce by easing entry requirements for new drivers in critical sectors.
Simulated Interviews
Farm Equipment Operator (Nebraska)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad this act is making it easier for my seasonal workers to get their licenses. It will save us time and money.
- This could make agricultural operations like ours more efficient. We rely heavily on skilled drivers during harvest season.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The ability to get a restricted license could help my business expand its services without adding excessive costs.
- Transportation is crucial for us; this policy could simplify operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Truck Driver (Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see much benefit for someone like me who's already established, but if it helps new drivers, I support it.
- It might help the industry by reducing driver shortages, good for long-term sustainability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (Wyoming)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could open up additional career paths for me in farming and transportation.
- I may consider getting a commercial driver's license now, knowing it's more accessible.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Government Employee (North Dakota)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could help streamline operations in municipal fleets by easing training requirements for new drivers.
- Facilitating access to commercial driving credentials could optimize public service delivery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Tribal Government Worker (California)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's beneficial for our tribe; easier licensing means we can do more for our community more efficiently.
- Transportation is a crucial service that we can now enhance without being bogged down by training costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Small Business Driver (Florida)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could reduce the burden on my employer and potentially lead to more work hours for drivers like me.
- More drivers might mean more competition, but should also mean more efficiency in the delivery sector.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired (Michigan)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Gives opportunities to younger generation; helps address some of the sector's traditional entry barriers.
- Although I'm retired, easing the path for new drivers is good for the industry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Organic Farmer (Oregon)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having easier access to commercial licenses for my helpers will allow us to handle more of our deliveries ourselves.
- It's a positive step toward making small-scale agriculture more viable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Public Transit Driver (New York)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Lower standards might increase safety risks if not managed correctly.
- However, expanding the pool of drivers is critical for maintaining services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $4800000 (Low: $3000000, High: $6500000)
Year 3: $4700000 (Low: $2900000, High: $6400000)
Year 5: $4500000 (Low: $2800000, High: $6000000)
Year 10: $4000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy alters commercial driver's license requirements, primarily impacting specific industry sectors with potential administrative and regulatory costs.
- There is a balance between reduced training requirements and ensuring driver safety standards remain high.