A recent report from the FMCSA shows that more than 10,000 military veterans have earned their CDLs with the help of the FMCSA’s military waiver program.
Started in 2011, the program allows states the authority to waive the skills portion of a CDL exam for any veterans who have at least two years of safe driving experience operating a truck or bus in the military.
According to the FMCSA, allowing states the ability to waive the skills portion not only speeds up the whole process, but makes it more affordable for both the applicant and the licensing agency.
The program is becoming more and more popular every year. In the past year alone over 4,000 military veterans have made use of the program to rejoin the civilian workforce as commercial truck drivers.
For more information, or to apply for the program, click here.
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Be careful for what you wish!
The DOT does something indisputably right!
And why the heck not let these guys bypass it? They’ve probably driven heavier trucks and in often dangerous conditions. “Here’s a set of keys, fella. Get to work!”
I for one applaud this initiative!
In ’97 I got my CDL in Benson, NC. I thought then that it was odd that military veterans had to spend $6K ( Alliance Truck School) as I did, to “learn” skills they already had??? Those guys could drive and back
with the best….and while being shot at!!!
Its about time the government got something right…..
Here, here!
I did the same thing when I got out of the USAF in 1984, only the Feds had nothing to do with it. It was, of course, pre-cdl, and the guy at the RI registry said “I’ll take care of you Sarge” and put both T/T and motorcycle endorsements, which were on my military license, on my state license. Nice to see FMCSA get something right for a change!
It was that way years ago. This is not new. When the CDL was implemented it did away with that. Now it’s back.