HR6691-119

What This Bill Does

The Ceasing Age-Based Trucking Restrictions Act adds title 49 section 31318. It says the transportation of goods by commercial motor vehicle from a port of entry to another place in the same state is not considered interstate transportation for federal commercial driver license requirements, even if the goods originated outside the state or outside the United States. That distinction matters because interstate CDL rules are tied to age and other federal requirements; classifying the trip as intrastate can open same-state port drayage work to drivers who qualify under state rules but would otherwise be blocked by interstate treatment.

Who Benefits and How

Commercial drivers, including younger drivers eligible under state CDL rules, benefit from access to covered intrastate port-haul jobs. Port drayage carriers, shippers, and importers benefit from a larger driver pool and fewer federal CDL barriers for same-state port movements.

Who Bears the Burden and How

FMCSA administrators and state licensing officials must apply a new classification for port-origin freight trips. Highway safety regulators and road users bear the risk that some port freight moves may be handled by drivers who would not meet the federal interstate-age standard.

Key Provisions

• Creates title 49 section 31318 for commercial motor vehicle trips from a port of entry to another place in the same state.
• Provides that covered same-state port hauling is not interstate transportation for federal commercial driver license requirements.
• Expands access to port drayage jobs for drivers who qualify under state CDL rules.
• Requires federal and state licensing officials to distinguish covered port trips from ordinary interstate transportation.