Truckers Tell Congress to Take “Aggressive Action” to Keep Unsafe, Under‑Trained Drivers Off the Road

by VAJEANET
(UNITED STATES)

Introduction

Imagine you’re driving your 80,000‑lb rig down the highway and nearly get clipped because someone behind the wheel hasn’t been trained properly. That scenario is exactly what the Owner‑Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is bringing to light as they plead with Congress to tighten up driver training and licensing.
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They’re not asking for minor tweaks — they want aggressive action to prevent under‑trained drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Key Points

Training standards are too low. The current Entry‑Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements that began in 2022 were a good step, but according to OOIDA, they don’t go far enough. They argue a minimum number of behind‑the‑wheel (BTW) hours should be mandatory.
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Licensing loopholes = risk. OOIDA highlights that many drivers may be entering the industry without enough skill or oversight, and that cheaper labor or relaxed rules have placed more unqualified drivers on the road.
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Driver shortage story = myth? According to OOIDA, the real issue isn’t that there aren’t enough drivers — it’s that many drivers are entering under‑trained, burning out or quitting quickly. That turnover is hurting the industry more than pure numbers.
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Multiple Perspectives

From truckers’ viewpoint: If you’ve spent years earning your stripes, navigating bad roads, traffic, weather and staying sharp — watching someone barely trained hop in and drive toward you is unsettling. They argue the bar shouldn’t be lowered just so more bodies can fill seats.

From industry/employer viewpoint: Some see the training & licensing push as added cost and time before a driver generates revenue. They might argue that “fast entry” helps meet demand.

From public/regulatory viewpoint: Lawmakers want safe roads, fewer crashes, fewer headlines about dangerous incidents involving heavy trucks. There’s pressure to show they’re doing something about it.

From policy critics’ viewpoint: Some say stricter rules could shrink the pool of eligible drivers — which could increase costs, create shortages, or make freight more expensive. Even OOIDA hints at this risk, saying the “shortage” narrative can be misused.
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Industry Response

OOIDA’s letter to Congressional transportation leaders (dated October 20, 2025) spells out specific asks: strengthening training, rejecting certain bills (like the DRIVE‑Safe Act) that they say worsen driver turnover.
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They’re also pushing for tougher oversight of training schools, banning dangerous waivers, and ensuring testing isn’t just a formality.
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What This Means for You (the Driver/Owner‑Operator)

If you’re a new driver: Know that higher training standards are coming. Getting well trained now = advantage.

If you’re an owner‑operator/fleet: Be ready for rising costs of training, possibly longer onboarding, more paperwork or audits. Could affect margins but also reduce risk‑costs (fewer crashes, fewer fines).

If you’re full‑time driving: This is a chance to lean into being highly skilled. The guys doing it right may start differentiating themselves more in an industry that’s pushing for “qualified, not just licensed.”

For anyone thinking of entering trucking: Understand this isn’t a simple “get a license, jump in the seat” gig anymore. The bar is moving — train smart, be ready.

Bottom Line

This isn’t just regulatory noise — it’s a trend shift. The industry is pushing back on the idea of “just plug and play” drivers. The message: “Don’t enter if you’re not ready.”
For those who are ready, this might mean more respect, safer roads, fewer bad actors dragging down the reputation of everyone. For the rest? It means the cost of entry could go up — but the payoff may follow with safer freight, better retention, better mileage.

If you’re reading this and thinking about how to future‑proof your driving career — or how to build an off‑duty income stream while still trucking* — you’re in the right lane. Because whether you’re driving hard now or planning for what’s next, being ahead of the curve matters.

👉 Want to dive deeper into how to build that off‑duty income? Check out OffDutyMoney.com
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