Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Dec. 12, 2025:
- New path to interstate trucking for under-21 drivers? House bill offers a shot.
- Large flatbed fleet expands Midwest footprint.
- Wyoming cautions drivers of high winds, blow-overs.
Bill would create ‘commonsense’ route for 18-20-year-old truckers to drive interstate
A new bill introduced in the U.S. House Thursday, Dec. 11, would allow under-21 CDL holders to drive across state lines under limited circumstances.
Federal regulations currently prohibit truck drivers under the age of 21 to cross state lines, regardless of the distance of their haul. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently concluded its Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program, which allowed motor carriers to apply to employ 18-20-year-old truck drivers for interstate work after completing two separate probationary training periods.
The new “Responsible Opportunity for Under-21 Trucking Engagement (ROUTE) Act” was introduced by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyoming) and referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with no cosponsors. It would allow any 18-20-year-old CDL holder to operate a commercial motor vehicle within a 150 air-mile radius of their normal work reporting location. These drivers would be required to return to that normal work reporting location and be released from work within 14 hours of departing. Drivers would also be required to take a standard 10-hour off-duty period before returning to work.
“Federal barriers prevent capable young Americans from entering the trucking industry,” Hageman said. “At the same time, we are removing illegal aliens who unlawfully obtained CDLs. That makes it even more important to open doors for American workers to fill these jobs and strengthen our economy. Wyoming and other rural states face needless challenges because federal regulation blocks young CDL holders from making short interstate trips. It makes no sense that drivers are allowed to travel from Gillette to Evanston but prohibited from driving right across the state line to Belle Fourche, South Dakota.”
Jason Cowan, owner of Silver Creek Transportation and Overdrive’s 2021 Small Fleet Champ, has long advocated for allowing 18-20-year-old truck drivers to enter the industry and, when trained properly, drive interstate. He called Hageman’s bill “an excellent idea for many reasons,” including being able to bring new drivers into the industry straight out of high school instead of them having to wait until they’re older and likely down another career path.
Cowan’s Henderson, Kentucky-based fleet is situated along the Ohio River, just across the state line from Evansville, Indiana. He said currently, a driver younger than 21 “can’t drive 10 miles” for that route.
In Cowan’s mind, “the whole key to success” for the bill if it were to pass “is going to be training,” he said.
[Related: FMCSA's training-provider purge: 'Crackdown' or cleanup?]
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association echoed Cowan’s sentiments, voicing its support for the legislation. OOIDA President Todd Spencer called the bill a “commonsense proposal.” Spencer contended current regulation “creates situations that simply do not make sense, like allowing a driver in Kansas City, Kansas, to haul clear across the state to its border with Colorado, but not deliver a few miles away in Kansas City, Missouri.”
Spencer added that the ROUTE Act solves the problem “in a safe and practical way. A 150 air-mile operating radius gives drivers the chance to build skills in familiar conditions, receive the training they need, and stay closer to home while gaining experience.”
Former owner-operator and longtime small-fleet advocate Joe Rajkovacz, who retired last year from his government affairs role with the Western States Trucking Association, called himself “an outlier, in that I support a pathway for under 21 since I began driving at 18 but couldn’t cross a state line.” In his mind, crossing an invisible line into another state doesn’t suddenly make a driver more unsafe.
Despite his support, Rajkovacz said he’s doubtful “the bill goes anywhere” due to the discussion around younger drivers and the ability to get under-21 truck drivers insured, “so the value of an allowance such as this would be limited,” he said.
[Related: Five decades 'swinging the bat' for small business trucking: Joe Rajkovacz]
PGT Trucking expands Midwest footprint with acquisition
PGT Trucking has acquired Paola, Kansas-based Debrick Truck Line, marking a strategic expansion of PGT’s geographic reach across the Midwest and building upon Debrick’s established success in the Kansas City area.
The newly-acquired operation and its 30 trucks will operate as a company terminal as PGT Paola. The acquisition builds on PGT’s network, which now boasts 35 terminal locations across the U.S. and Mexico.
Gregg Troian, President of PGT Trucking, emphasized the alignment between the two organizations.
"PGT Trucking is proud to work with the Debrick family,” he said. “Through PGT Paola, we are prepared to offer safe and reliable transportation solutions throughout North America, supporting our customers, drivers, and local community.”
Debrick Truck Line brings decades of specialized experience to the PGT network. Founded in 1958 by Arnold and Lorene Debrick, the company began its operations as a local water hauler. Over the last 60 years, it grew into a nationwide carrier offering flatbed, van, and over-dimensional services.
“PGT Trucking and Debrick Truck Line share similar history and values,” said Kevin Debrick, who will lead the new location as PGT Trucking Paola Terminal Manager. “We are a close-knit organization, and it is important for us to work with a partner who understands our emphasis on family, loyalty, and safety.”
[Related: CRST downsizing one-way OTR business]
Wyoming windstorms causing truck blow-overs
WYDOT reported there have been at least 39 blow-over crashes along Wyoming highways this week due to high winds.WYDOT
An ongoing high-wind event in Wyoming has caused 39 vehicles to crash on Wyoming highways so far this week, particularly Dec. 9-11, the Wyoming Department of Transportation reported.
With winter being the state’s windiest months, WyDOT and the state highway patrol remind drivers of all vehicle types to use caution and pay close attention to highway signage.
Most crashes occurred on I-80 near Cooper Cove west of Laramie, I-25 on Wyo Hill south of Cheyenne, and I-25 near Wheatland at Bordeaux. Many blown-over vehicles were underweight, and some trailers were even empty, WyDOT noted.
The department updates the minimum required weights for high-profile vehicles and lists them on overhead digital messaging signs based on real-time wind speeds. Drivers should check weight-based wind closure information often to ensure travel is permitted.
While commercial trucks are certainly at risk, other vehicles like campers, toy haulers and other large trailers are also susceptible to blowing over.
Drivers can check wind closures and wind speeds anytime at www.wyoroad.info or via the Wyoming 511 mobile app.
During powerful wind events, WyDOT and the Wyoming Highway Patrol urge all travelers to heed closure warnings. Driving a prohibited vehicle during these closures can lead to hefty fines, including fines for any damage to the roadway. In addition, a single blow-over event often occupies several troopers, along with additional towing and emergency vehicles, tying up critical resources that may be needed elsewhere and sometimes forcing the highway to close to all traffic for debris cleanup.
Vehicles not included in wind restrictions should use caution on windy days, too. Stay alert for blowing snow, slick spots and other potential hazards.
[Related: 'Estimated opening time is unknown': Winter from hell on I-80 in Wyoming]
