December 11, 2025
Ms. Hageman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize limited operation of commercial motor vehicles for eligible drivers under age 21 in interstate commerce, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Responsible Opportunity for Under-21 Trucking Engagement Act
or the ROUTE Act
.
Sec. 2. Limited interstate operation of commercial motor vehicles for drivers under 21
(a) In general
Chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
31318. Limited interstate operation for drivers under 21
(a) Definition of eligible driver
In this section, the term ‘eligible driver’ means an individual who—
(1)
holds a commercial driver’s license limited to intrastate operation of a commercial motor vehicle; and
(2)
is—
(A)
not less than 18 years old; and
(B)
less than 21 years old.
(b) Limited interstate operation of commercial motor vehicles
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an eligible driver may operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce (as defined in section 31132) within a 150 air-mile radius of the normal work reporting location of the eligible driver, subject to the conditions that—
(1)
not more than 14 consecutive hours after departing from that normal work reporting location, the eligible driver returns to that normal work reporting location and is released from work;
(2)
the eligible driver has at least 10 consecutive hours off duty separating each on-duty period described in paragraph (1); and
(3)
the normal work reporting location of the eligible driver remains in the State in which the eligible driver holds a commercial driver’s license described in subsection (a)(1).
(b) Clerical amendment
The analysis for chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: