The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the next initiatives in the Biden-Harris Trucking Action Plan.
Those steps involve the expansion of trucking apprenticeships, new truck driver boards and studies to improve the working conditions of truck drivers.
“In some parts of the trucking industry, 90% of drivers turn over each year. Making sure truck drivers are paid and treated fairly is the right thing to do, and it will help with both recruiting new drivers and keeping experienced drivers on the job," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
According to a news release, the plan is part of the Biden administration's effort to enhance the ability of the supply chain to function in response to recent disruptions.
A 90-day registered apprentice program will be started in an effort to train more truckers and give companies an avenue to recruit new employees, according to a news release.
DOT reported that a task force is being developed that will make certain that truck loans and leases are legitimate for companies and individuals who utilize rented trucks in order to work.
The DOT will produce a compensation study to examine how different forms of compensation impact the driver’s safety and company retention, along with giving $30 million to states in order to expedite the CDL licensing so that truckers can get on the road quicker, according to a news release.
“Too many American truckers are set up to fail with financing schemes or coerced into paying junk fees. To keep our economy moving, we must ensure that truckers who work hard don’t face financial ruin,” said Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra.
