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While trucking industry trade groups have expressed support for a federal apprenticeship program that will train under-21 drivers to operate tractor-trailers across state lines, concerns are being raised that some of the initiative’s reporting requirements for motor carriers are overly burdensome.

As of Jan. 15 new, tougher COVID-19 vaccine requirements took place for people to cross from the U.S. into Canada. That applies to truck drivers and other essential workers.

The United States Supreme Court on Jan. 13 blocked enforcement of the Biden administration’s proposed sweeping vaccine rules, which would have required companies with more than 100 employees — including trucking companies — to ensure workers receive a COVID-19 vaccine or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has formally announced establishment of the truck driver apprenticeship program that was included in last year’s sweeping $1 trillion infrastructure bill, an initiative that will train candidates younger than 21 to drive in interstate commerce for the first time ever.

The Supreme Court appears divided on legal challenges centering on the scope and federal authority of the Biden administration’s sweeping proposed COVID vaccine mandate, which would require private-sector firms to vaccinate or test tens of millions of employees.

The Jan. 4 announcement appears to be a significant step in that direction. According to the governor’s office, the overall concept calls for $231.6 million in investment in rail projects “to upgrade economic development infrastructure in central and southern Alabama.”

Trucking is likely to continue to see a shortage of professional drivers with the underlying causes showing no signs of stopping in 2022.

Here are the 10 most-read stories on the Transports Topics website in 2021, based on Google Analytics.

The shortage of professional drivers quickly became the defining issue for the industry during the past year with its far-reaching effects.