Freedom Haulers Act Now Heads to Congress

New Freedom Haulers Act Seeks to Make Veteran CDL Changes Permanent

A new bill introduced in Congress could make several recent commercial driver’s license (CDL) changes for military veterans part of federal law if approved. The proposed Freedom Haulers Act would require the FMCSA to expand the Military Skills Test Waiver Program and establish new nationwide requirements for states to recognize military driving experience when issuing CDLs. The legislation follows the Trump administration’s Freedom Haulers initiative announced earlier this year, but unlike that initiative, the bill would place many of those changes into federal statute if it becomes law.

The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) and has been referred to committee for consideration. It has not yet been approved by Congress.

Freedom Haulers Act would expand military CDL waiver program

One of the biggest changes proposed in the Freedom Haulers Act is extending the amount of time eligible service members have to qualify for the Military Skills Test Waiver Program.

Current FMCSA regulations generally allow qualified military personnel to apply for a CDL skills test waiver within 12 months of leaving military service. Under the proposed legislation, FMCSA would be required to issue regulations extending that period to 24 months after separation from the military. The bill directs the agency to make that change within 180 days after the legislation is enacted.

Supporters of the proposal say the additional time could make it easier for veterans transitioning to civilian careers to take advantage of their military driving experience when pursuing trucking jobs.

Bill would require states to recognize qualifying military experience

Beyond extending the waiver period, the legislation would create what it calls an “Even Exchange Program” for military commercial driver applicants.

If enacted, states would be required to provide certain CDL waivers to qualified current and former military operators who meet the eligibility requirements established in the bill.

The proposal covers military personnel from the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy who served in designated vehicle operation or transportation specialties and meet the program’s qualifications.

Proposed waivers include CDLs and endorsements

The legislation would require states to waive several testing requirements for eligible applicants with qualifying military experience.

Those proposed waivers include:

• CDL knowledge tests
• CDL driving skills tests
• Passenger endorsement testing
• Tank vehicle endorsement knowledge testing
• Hazardous materials endorsement knowledge testing, while continuing to require all federally mandated background checks and other Hazmat qualifications

Applicants would still have to meet the conditions outlined in the legislation, including demonstrating qualifying military experience and maintaining a safe driving record. The proposal also makes clear that medical certification requirements and other federal CDL qualification standards would remain in place.

Applicants would still have to meet eligibility requirements

The proposed legislation does not automatically grant a CDL to military veterans.

Instead, applicants would have to certify that they meet several conditions before receiving a waiver. Among other requirements, eligible applicants generally could not have had a civilian driver’s license suspended, revoked, or canceled, could not have certain disqualifying traffic convictions, and could not have an at-fault crash record during the applicable qualification period.

The legislation also specifies that states would be responsible for establishing the procedures and forms needed to administer the waiver program if the bill becomes law.

New legislation builds on earlier Freedom Haulers initiative

The Freedom Haulers Act represents the latest development in the federal government’s effort to expand opportunities for military personnel entering the trucking industry.

Freedom Haulers initiative announced several administrative changes intended to help veterans transition into commercial driving careers. The newly introduced legislation would take many of those concepts a step further by placing them into federal law, making the requirements binding if Congress approves the measure.

While many of the proposed changes are similar to those announced under the initiative, the bill would establish statutory requirements rather than relying solely on administrative policy.

What happens next?

The Freedom Haulers Act is still in the early stages of the legislative process.

Before any of its provisions take effect, the bill must be approved by the House of Representatives, pass the Senate, and be signed into law by the president. Until then, current FMCSA regulations and existing military CDL waiver programs remain in effect.

If enacted, the legislation would require FMCSA to update its regulations and would require states to implement the expanded military CDL waiver program outlined in the bill.

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