Iowa and Kentucky Reduce HME Driver Age

In most states, you must be 21 years old to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) for intrastate commerce – operating solely within the boundaries of a single state. This has long put the propane industry at a competitive disadvantage, as other industries that require a CDL – but not an HME – are able to engage with and hire workers ages 18-20. By the time these workers turn 21, they are already professionally invested in another industry.

Recently, both Iowa and Kentucky passed bills that will allow CDL holders, ages 18-20, to apply for and obtain an HME for intrastate commerce. This will greatly expand the applicant pool for drivers of bobtails, transports, and cylinder trucks.

Michelle Wicker, Executive Director of the Iowa Propane Gas Association, has been championing the legislation in Des Moines since it was first introduced earlier this year. “This bill means a lot to the propane industry in Iowa,” said Wicker. “We will be able to employ those after graduation instead of losing those individuals to other industries due to the age restriction. It is exciting to know that if you have a family member graduating that wants to follow your path into the propane industry, they now can.”

In addition, Tod Griffin, Executive Director of the Kentucky Propane Gas Association, noted “The membership adopted a resolution a couple years ago at their annual meeting making this a priority issue for the industry,” explained Griffin. “We’re grateful to the Kentucky General Assembly for passing the bill this session and to the Governor for signing it into law to help alleviate the driver shortages we’ve seen in the past few years. I especially want to thank Jacob Peterson and his team at NPGA for providing the research and technical support as we were drafting the bill language.”

With the addition of Iowa and Kentucky, 11 states now allow CDL holders, between the ages of 18-20, to apply for and obtain an HME for intrastate commerce. For more information, contact NPGA’s Senior Director of State Advocacy & Affairs, Jacob Peterson.