Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act

Summary: Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act or the DRIVE-Safe Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue regulations relating to an apprenticeship program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under the age of 21. 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Developing Responsible Individuals 
for a Vibrant Economy Act'' or the ``DRIVE-Safe Act''.

SEC. 2. APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVERS UNDER THE AGE OF 
              21.

    (a) In General.--For purposes of this section, the term 
``apprentice'' means an individual under the age of 21 who holds a 
commercial driver's license.
    (b) Apprentice.--An apprentice--
            (1) may drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate 
        commerce while taking part in the 120-hour probationary period 
        (as described in subsection (c)(1)) and the 280-hour 
        probationary period (as described in subsection (c)(2)), 
        pursuant to an apprenticeship program established by an 
        employer that complies with the requirements of this section; 
        and
            (2) may drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate 
        commerce once such apprentice completes such an apprenticeship 
        program.
    (c) Form of Apprenticeship Program.--For purposes of this section, 
the term ``apprenticeship program'' means one that is defined and 
structured as follows:
            (1) 120-hour probationary period.--
                    (A) In general.--The apprentice shall complete 120 
                hours of on-duty time, of which at least 80 hours are 
                driving time in a commercial motor vehicle.
                    (B) Performance benchmarks.--In order to complete 
                the 120-hour probationary period, an employer shall 
                determine that the apprentice is competent in the 
                following areas:
                            (i) Interstate, light city traffic, rural 
                        two-lane, and evening driving.
                            (ii) Safety awareness.
                            (iii) Speed and space management.
                            (iv) Lane control.
                            (v) Mirror scanning.
                            (vi) Right and left turns.
                            (vii) Logging and complying with rules 
                        concerning hours of service.
            (2) 280-hour probationary period.--
                    (A) In general.--After completion of the 
                requirements of paragraph (1), the apprentice shall 
                complete 280 hours of on-duty time, of which at least 
                160 hours are driving time in a commercial motor 
                vehicle.
                    (B) Performance benchmarks.--In order to complete 
                the 280-hour probationary period, an employer shall 
                determine that the apprentice is competent in the 
                following areas:
                            (i) Backing and maneuvering in close 
                        quarters.
                            (ii) Pre-trip inspections.
                            (iii) Fueling procedures.
                            (iv) Weighing loads, weight distribution, 
                        and sliding tandems.
                            (v) Coupling and uncoupling procedures.
                            (vi) Trip planning, truck routes, map 
                        reading, navigation, and permits.
                            (vii) Transporting hazardous materials, if 
                        properly endorsed.
            (3) Restrictions for first period.--During the driving time 
        described in paragraph (1), the apprentice may not operate a 
        commercial motor vehicle on which hazardous materials placards 
        are placed.
            (4) Restrictions for both periods.--During the driving time 
        described in paragraphs (1) and (2)--
                    (A) the apprentice may only drive a commercial 
                motor vehicle that has--
                            (i) automatic manual or automatic 
                        transmissions;
                            (ii) active braking collision mitigation 
                        systems;
                            (iii) forward-facing video event capture; 
                        and
                            (iv) governed speeds of 65 miles per hour 
                        at the pedal and 65 miles per hour under 
                        adaptive cruise control; and
                    (B) the apprentice shall be accompanied in the cab 
                of the commercial motor vehicle by an experienced 
                driver.
            (5) Records retention.--The employer shall maintain 
        records, in a manner required by the Secretary of 
        Transportation, concerning an apprentice's satisfaction of the 
        requirements of paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B).
            (6) Reportable incidents.--If the apprentice is involved in 
        a preventable, reportable to the Department of Transportation 
        accident or pointed moving violation while driving a commercial 
        motor vehicle as part of an apprenticeship program described in 
        this section, the apprentice shall undergo remediation and 
        additional training, until such apprentice can demonstrate to 
        the employer's satisfaction the performance benchmarks 
        described in paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B).
            (7) Completion of program.--The apprentice completes the 
        apprenticeship program on the date such apprentice completes 
        the probationary period described in paragraph (2).
            (8) Minimum requirements.--
                    (A) In general.--Nothing in this Act shall preclude 
                an employer from imposing additional requirements on an 
                apprentice taking part in an apprenticeship program 
                established pursuant to this section.
                    (B) Technologies.--Nothing in this Act shall 
                preclude an employer from requiring or installing 
                additional technologies in a commercial motor vehicle 
                in addition to the technologies described in paragraph 
                (4)(A).
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``commercial motor vehicle'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 390.5 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) The term ``driving time'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 395.2 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
            (3) The term ``experienced driver'' means an individual 
        who--
                    (A) is at least 21 years of age;
                    (B) has held a commercial driver's license for the 
                2 years preceding the date on which such individual 
                serves as an experienced driver;
                    (C) has had no preventable, reportable to the 
                Department of Transportation accidents or pointed 
                moving violations for the year preceding the date on 
                which such individual serves as an experienced driver; 
                and
                    (D) has a minimum of 1 year of experience driving a 
                commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.
            (4) The term ``on-duty time'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 395.2 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
            (5) The term ``pointed moving violation'' means a violation 
        that results in points being added to the license of a driver, 
        or a similar violation that the Secretary determines is 
        comparable.
    (e) Issuance of Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations that 
comply with the requirements of this Act.