Senators from opposite ends of the partisan spectrum, Democrat Mark Kelly of Arizona and Republican Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, are rolling up their sleeves to drive forward the Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act, a bipartisan effort seeking to put more truck drivers behind the wheel amid supply chain strains. According to a statement released by Senator Mark Kelly's office, this legislation aims to build upon temporary waivers previously granted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to sustain operational efficiency without compromising roadway safety.
"Arizona's economy relies on the commercial drivers who work hard to keep goods moving across the nation," said Kelly, asserting that cooperation with Senator Lummis was a step toward both supporting the economy and potentially easing financial pressures for families in his state, as reported by Senator Mark Kelly's office. On the other hand, Lummis punctuated the significance of truckers for Wyoming, a state with vast rural expanses where consistent deliveries are vital, their reform efforts targeted at dismantling "burdensome" bureaucracy that binds the industry.
In echoes of support, Dan Horvath of the American Trucking Associations highlighted the balancing act the waivers achieved between operational efficiency and safety standards over the COVID period, urging the enshrinement of these policies into permanent law, while Kevin Hawley, Wyoming Trucking Association President & CEO, indicated the measures' past efficacy and the positive impact they could have on job access and the state's economic growth. Ryan Streblow of the National Tank Truck Carriers pointed to the streamlined CDL testing process proposed by the LICENSE Act, and Danny Bradford, Chairman of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA), called for a swift legislative response.
The LICENSE Act specifically aims to expand CDL testing authorization to both state and third-party examiners, recognizing that many Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) holders are ready for the road while awaiting their formal licensing, and allowing them more flexibility during their oversight period. It also proposes that states be given the ability to administer driving skills tests to out-of-state applicants, a simple yet potentially powerful tool to address workforce shortages. Endorsed by a roster of transport and trucking associations, the bill’s advocates see it as a direct avenue to fuel U.S. economic expansion and strengthen the supply chain.
