Truck Driver Restroom Access Bill

Legislation introduced by Pennsylvania Representative Chrissy Houlahan and Texan Troy Nehls would require shippers and consignees to provide access for truck drivers to facility restrooms. Troy Nehls a Republican serving Texas serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. A handful of states have introduced, and some passed, similar legislation. Chrissy Houlahan’s home state Pennsylvania had a state bill stall out over the summer. Canada passed legislation last year requiring restroom access for delivery drivers servicing businesses.

The Women in Trucking Association along with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association partnered together to push this legislation forward. The president of the OOIDA Todd Spencer stated, “The men and women of America’s trucking industry keep our supply chain moving and it’s only reasonable that their most basic of needs be accommodated while they are on the job."

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have the authority to regulate bathroom access to independent contractors like truck drivers, only to employees. Many in the industry feel that access to sanitary and immediately-available restrooms should be common practice.

During COVID-19 access to restroom facilities decreased, and the Women in Trucking President Ellen Voie advised that woman are entering the industry more than ever and stated, “Time and again, we’ve seen that when we include more women in our workforce, our economy prospers -- that’s true for the trucking industry, too,” she said, "but restricted access to bathrooms is putting that progress in jeopardy."

The regulation will not require new restrooms to be constructed, but rather it requires businesses that have a restroom available to their customers and employees must provide access to truck drivers as well. This bathroom access requires operators at terminals and ports to provide access to drayage drivers as well.

Please be sure to let us know your thoughts on this bill that may become law in the summer of 2023!

Carriers interested in hauling freight with TLI can submit inquiries to get running today!