Congress has passed a bill that will make it easier for veterans to begin careers as truck drivers. The Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act aims to help veterans use their GI Bill benefits sooner to get the training they need to become truck drivers.
The bill removes a two-year waiting period for veterans who want to use their benefits at new branches of truck driving schools. This means veterans can start their training right away if the main location of the school has already been approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Faster Access to CDL Training for Veterans
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) supports this new law. They believe it will help veterans get into the trucking industry faster. Right now, veterans have to wait two years to use their GI Bill benefits at new schools. This is the case even if the main school is already approved by the VA.
The bill, introduced by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in the Senate, and Representatives Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) and Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) in the House, will get rid of this delay. Veterans will now be able to start training at new school branches as soon as the main school is approved.
Helping to Fill Driver Jobs
The trucking industry deals with a high turnover of truck drivers, and this bill could help solve that problem. ATA President Chris Spear said it’s important to remove the barriers for veterans who want to become truck drivers.
“The brave men and women in our armed forces shouldn’t have to deal with unnecessary red tape after serving their country,” Spear said. “Improving veterans’ access to CDL programs will help them secure rewarding careers and alleviate the driver shortage.”
The trucking industry is short thousands of drivers. By making it easier for veterans to train, the industry could see an increase in qualified drivers.
Ensuring High-Quality Training
Not everyone agrees with the bill as it stands. Some lawmakers worry that veterans could sign up for truck driving schools that aren’t very good. The current two-year waiting period was originally put in place to make sure schools were offering quality training.
Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) pointed out that the House worked hard to add protections to make sure veterans are getting the best training possible. However, the version of the bill that passed did not include all of the extra safety measures that some lawmakers wanted.
Takano said that there is a need for strong oversight of these programs so that veterans don’t end up in low-quality schools. He received support from Representative Mike Bost (R-Ill.) to add more protections in future bills.
What This Means for Veterans
This new bill will be a big help for veterans who want to become truck drivers. It allows them to use their GI Bill benefits right away at new schools, instead of waiting for two years. This change is expected to give veterans quicker access to jobs in the trucking industry.
At the same time, the trucking industry will benefit from having more drivers in a shorter amount of time. This is critical as the demand for drivers continues to rise.
The bill now heads to President Joe Biden for final approval. If signed into law, it will provide immediate relief for veterans who are ready to start their careers in trucking.
Looking Ahead
The Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act removes the two-year waiting period that made it hard for veterans to start truck driver training. This new law helps veterans access their benefits sooner and supports the trucking industry by filling more driver jobs. With both veterans and the industry standing to benefit, the bill’s passing marks a significant step forward in helping both groups. All that remains is the president’s final approval.
