The Trump administration has initiated a campaign to attract military veterans to become truck drivers. This effort aims to address the shortfall caused by the loss of tens of thousands of immigrant drivers who lost their licenses due to stricter regulations.
Military to Civilian Transition
On Friday, a new campaign was launched to promote programs allowing veterans with recent experience driving large military vehicles to bypass the skills test necessary for acquiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL). In addition, active-duty soldiers can enroll in commercial driving schools during their final six months of service. The GI Bill will cover the complete cost of CDL training and potentially provide a housing allowance while attending school.
The campaign is part of a wider interagency effort to assist veterans in securing rewarding civilian employment. This initiative is set for further announcements by the White House.
Regulatory Actions and Safety Concerns
The Transportation Department has started enforcing English language requirements for truckers. This gained urgency after a fatal crash in Florida involving a truck driver who performed an illegal maneuver.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the driver, of Indian origin, should never have been licensed.
Audits across states revealed many non-domiciled commercial licenses were valid despite expired work permits or improper citizenship verification. Following this, approximately 26,000 drivers were removed from the road for not meeting English proficiency, and 30,000 licenses were canceled due to illegal issuance.
The federal government has threatened to withhold highway funds from states like California and New York for non-compliance, though legal battles have ensued. Other states such as Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and North Carolina risk losing funding.
The “Freedom Haulers” Campaign
Duffy emphasized the campaign’s role in expanding efforts to remove unqualified foreign drivers and restore confidence in America’s trucking industry. The trucking industry has supported this drive to recruit veterans, appreciating their leadership, discipline, and technical skills. Derek Leathers, CEO of Werner Enterprises, highlighted the value veterans add, making up 15% of their workforce.
Cole Stevens, Chief Strategy Officer at a prominent trucking firm, echoed these sentiments, praising the integrity and mission-first mindset of veteran drivers. In line with enforcement measures, new rules limit immigrants’ eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs to those holding H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas. These licenses make up about 5% of all CDL licenses, translating to around 200,000 drivers, with immigrant groups arguing these drivers are often unfairly targeted.
Promoting Truck Driving to Veterans
The Department of Transportation is collaborating with the Pentagon, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Labor to advertise truck driving as a viable career choice for veterans seeking independence and non-office jobs. Veterans must still pass the written portion of the CDL test, but former military drivers can skip the skills portion. More than 40,000 veterans have benefited from this program.
Currently, truck drivers earn an average salary of $70,000 annually. With market constraints causing rates to rise, veterans who have served over three years can use the GI Bill for CDL training and may qualify for a housing stipend during training.
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