LAS VEGAS (FOX5) – Nevada’s supply chain leaders are pushing for changes at the federal level to get more drivers on trucks and more product on the shelves.

Trucking industry experts have said they hope Congress passes the Drive Safe Act, which will essentially lift a rule prohibiting 18 to 20 year olds from driving commercial goods across state lines.

“Because you have to be 21 to be able to drive on a freeway, truck driving is really not an option, so we are losing some of those kids who might be a perfect fit in our industry for construction, mining or hospitality, some of those other industries, ”said Paul Enos, CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association. “We get a tremendous amount of cargo from Southern California coming in there. We have to have the ability to bring these drivers over state lines.”

Enos said the Drive Safe Act has been presented to Congress on several occasions.

The law would require that young adults receive rigorous training under the supervision of an experienced driver.

“Two hundred and forty hours of driving with an experienced truck driver, again you need to have 400 hours of service with that experienced driver,” Enos said. “And you have to be in a truck that has safety systems like anti-collision systems.”

The Nevada Trucking Association works to engage lawmakers in the law for the President’s entire infrastructure or for future review.

“Thirty days and you will immediately be able to jump into a career field where I can make a lot of money,” said a student at the Advanced Career Institute in North Las Vegas, which offers training for truck drivers. beginners.

“Trucking is in such demand right now because of the pandemic, now is the perfect time to get started,” added another student.

A third student said: “The pay is pretty good and you can see a lot of new stuff. “

All three students are in their late 20s looking to establish a second career, and program officials have said that most people entering this program are their age or older.

Enos said the average age of a truck driver is 47.

That’s why industry leaders are striving to hook young Nevada straight out of high school to the often financially secure careers that are in high demand amid the labor shortage.