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HR 6642

ROUTE Act

119th Congress Introduced by Harriet Hageman and 4 co-sponsors

Allows 18–20 year olds with an intrastate CDL to operate limited interstate CMV work within 150 air-miles of their location under strict hours-of-service rules.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
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Bill Summary · HR 6642

Summary of HR 6642 (119th Congress) — ROUTE Act

Overview

  • Official Title: Responsible Opportunity for Under-21 Trucking Engagement Act, or the ROUTE Act.
  • Purpose: Amend title 49 of the United States Code to authorize limited interstate operation of commercial motor vehicles by eligible drivers under age 21.
  • Intro and Status: Introduced December 11, 2025 by Rep. Harriet Hageman and colleagues;Referral history shows progression to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit (February 2, 2026) after initial committee referral in December 2025.
  • Sponsors/Co-sponsors: Introduced by Rep. Hageman with several co-sponsors (including Rep. Austin Scott, Rep. G.T. Thompson, Rep. Tracey Mann, and Rep. Barry Moore).

Primary Purpose

  • To allow certain drivers who are under 21 but hold a specific type of CDL to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce, under a tightly defined set of conditions. This creates a pathway for younger drivers to participate in interstate trucking, expanding opportunities within federal limits.

Key Provisions

1) Creation of a New Statutory Section

  • Adds a new provision to Chapter 313 of Title 49, United States Code:
    • New Section: 31318 — Limited interstate operation for drivers under 21.

2) Eligibility and Definitions

  • Eligible Driver Definition (new subsection 31318(a)):
    • Must hold a commercial driver’s license limited to intrastate operation (i.e., CDL restricted to intrastate driving, not full interstate authority).
    • Age requirements: must be at least 18 years old but under 21 years old.
  • This creates a specific subset of young drivers who can operate interstate commercially, distinct from fully interstate CDL holders.

3) Conditions for Limited Interstate Operation (31318(b))

  • An eligible driver may operate a CMV in interstate commerce within a 150 air-mile radius of the driver’s normal work reporting location.
  • Operational constraints:
    1. No more than 14 consecutive hours after departing the normal work reporting location before returning to that location and being released from work.
    2. At least 10 consecutive hours off duty separating each on-duty period described in (1).
    3. The driver’s normal work reporting location must remain in the same state as the州 issuing the CDL (i.e., the state that issued the intrastate-restricted CDL).
  • These limits mirror typical federal rules aimed at limiting fatigue, while permitting interstate activity within a defined radius.

4) Administrative Changes

  • The bill requires a clerical amendment to the Congressional desk analysis for Chapter 313, adding a new subsection header: “31318. Limited interstate operation for drivers under 21.”

Affected Parties

  • Eligible Drivers: Young drivers (18–20) who hold a CDL restricted to intrastate operation can access limited interstate routes.
  • Truck Carriers/Employers: Could employ younger drivers for interstate runs within the 150 air-mile radius, subject to Hours-of-Service and other federal safety rules, plus the ROUTE Act-specific constraints.
  • State Agencies/CDL Issuance: States issuing intrastate-restricted CDLs would continue to oversee licensing; the policy creates a new interstate-use provision under federal law.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Lawmaking Path: After introduction, referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, then to Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. If advanced, it would proceed through the standard Senate consideration and potential reconciliation.
  • Effective Date: Not specified in the text provided; actual implementation would depend on enacted language and any phased-in dates adopted in committee or floor action.
  • Implementation Scope: Limited to a 150 air-mile radius from the driver’s normal work location, and only for drivers meeting the age and licensing criteria.

Practical Implications

  • Potentially expands the pool of available interstate trucking drivers by permitting a subset of under-21 CDL holders to operate outside intrastate bounds.
  • Emphasizes fatigue management and regional routing by imposing driving/rest limits and staying within a state-border of CDL issuance.
  • Balances workforce needs in trucking with safety considerations for younger drivers.

If you’d like, I can convert this into a one-page briefing for policymakers or a short consumer-facing summary for stakeholders in the trucking industry.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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