Lawmakers Consider Solutions for Minnesota’s Truck Driver Shortage

Minnesota lawmakers are exploring ways to tackle the state’s commercial truck driver shortage, with new legislation aimed at making training and licensing more accessible.
Representative Jim Joy (R-Hawley) is sponsoring a bill that would:
🚛 Create a grant program to help train new truck drivers.
🚛 Allow third-party administrators to conduct CDL road tests, making testing more available.
Supporters say these changes could ease the bottleneck in getting new drivers on the road. However, opponents raised concerns about potential private-public partnerships in licensing, questioning oversight and accountability.
📌 Local Tie-In: Trucking plays a major role in Greater Minnesota’s economy, especially for agriculture and shipping industries. Finding ways to train more drivers could benefit businesses in Detroit Lakes and surrounding areas.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a larger omnibus package later this session.