FMCSA Safe Driver Apprenticeship

Pilot Program (SDAP)

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is conducting a three-year commercial 

driver apprenticeship program, in accordance with Section 23022 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law. This program will allow qualified drivers ages 18-20, who hold intrastate commercial driver’s 

licenses (CDLs), to explore interstate trucking careers. It will also help trucking companies hire and 

train new drivers. 

FMCSA will grant apprentice drivers approval to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in 

interstate commerce while they are under 21 years of age. During the pilot program’s probationary 

periods, apprentice drivers can operate in interstate commerce only when accompanied by a 

qualified, experienced driver in the passenger seat.

Information for Motor Carriers

Motor Carriers must meet all safety criteria listed on the following page 

and use the application posted on FMCSA’s website to participate in SDAP.

Experienced drivers must meet all criteria specified in the Bipartisan 

Infrastructure Law. Apprentice drivers must operate vehicles equipped with 

forward-facing cameras, automatic or automatic manual transmission, active 

braking collision mitigation system, and a governed speed of 65 miles per 

hours at the pedal and under adaptive cruise control.

Apprentice drivers cannot transport passengers or hazardous materials or 

operate double- or triple-trailer combinations or cargo tank vehicles while 

participating in this program, regardless of any license endorsements they hold.

Contact FMCSA

safedriver@dot.gov

Follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fmcsa

Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/FMCSA

Follow us on Twitter at @FMCSA

1-800-832-5660

See following page for 

motor carrier qualifications
Required Motor Carrier Qualifications

Participating motor carriers must:

■ Have proper operating authority, 

if required, and registration;

■ Have at least the minimum levels of 

financial responsibility required by 

the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Regulations (FMCSRs);

■ Not be a high- or moderate-risk carrier;

■ Not have a conditional or unsatisfactory 

safety rating;

■ Not have any open enforcement actions 

in the previous 6 years;

■ Not have a crash rate above the 2021 

national average (0.96 crashes per 

million vehicle miles travelled);

■ Not have a driver out of service 

(OOS) rate above the 2021 national 

average (5.30%); 

■ Not have a vehicle OOS rate above the 

2021 national average (19.40%); and

■ Provide proof of insurance for under 

21 drivers prior to being issued 

an exemption from FMCSA for 

the age requirements found in 

49 CFR 391.11(b)(1).

Experienced Driver Qualifications

■ Must be at least 26 years of age;

■ Must have held a CDL for 2 years prior 

to serving as an experienced driver;

■ Must have at least 5 years of experience 

driving a CMV in interstate commerce.

■ In the prior two years has not had:

 Any preventable accidents reportable 

to DOT; or

 Any moving violations resulting 

in points.

To learn more and apply to participate,

visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safedriver

FMCSA-SSL-23-001 April 2024