The Trump administration is urging soldiers to consider truck driving as they transition to civilian life. This initiative aims to replace the numerous immigrant drivers who lost their licenses due to recent government crackdowns.
Program Details
A campaign was launched to inform veterans about programs that allow them to bypass the commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test if they have recently operated large military vehicles. Others can attend a commercial driving school during their final six months of service. The GI Bill covers the cost of CDL training and provides housing allowances for some individuals.
This initiative is part of a broader interagency effort to help veterans find rewarding civilian employment. The White House plans to announce these measures on Monday.
Enforcement of Language Requirements
Last summer, the Transportation Department began enforcing English language requirements for truck drivers. The urgency increased following an August crash in Florida where a truck driver made a fatal U-turn. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that the driver should not have been licensed.
Audits revealed numerous commercial licenses issued without proper citizenship verification. Consequently, about 26,000 drivers were removed from the road for not demonstrating English proficiency. Additionally, 30,000 licenses were canceled for being issued illegally. The federal government is withholding highway funds from states like California and New York for non-compliance.
We are removing more and more dangerous foreign drivers off our roads every day and restoring the integrity of America’s trucking industry.– Sean Duffy
Veterans in the Trucking Industry
The trucking industry supports the administration’s efforts to eliminate unqualified drivers and ‘sham’ CDL schools. Companies welcome the move to recruit more veterans. Derek Leathers, CEO of Werner Enterprises, highlights veterans’ leadership and discipline as essential qualities for successful drivers.
Cole Stevens, chief strategy officer at a trucking company, praised veterans for their integrity and mission-focused mindset, identifying them as key assets to the industry.
Immigrant Driver Licensing
The government plans to restrict immigrants’ eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs, requiring tests in English. These plans face legal challenges. Only individuals with specific visas (H-2A, H-2B, E-2) can obtain licenses under new rules.
Immigrant drivers make up 20% of all truck drivers, but those with non-domiciled licenses account for only about 5% of commercial licenses. Some immigrant groups argue that the crackdown unfairly targets drivers.
Opportunities for Veterans
The Transportation Department, in collaboration with the Pentagon and Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor, aims to popularize trucking among veterans. It highlights the career’s independence, catering to those uninterested in office work.
While veterans must pass the CDL written test, those with experience in driving heavy military vehicles can skip the skills test. Over 40,000 veterans have utilized this program, facilitating their entry into the field in a matter of weeks.
Truck drivers currently earn an average salary of $70,000 annually. Veterans with more than three years of service can use the GI Bill to fund their CDL training and may qualify for a housing stipend.