Over 10,000 veterans and active-duty personnel have found civilian jobs with the transportation industry thanks to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Military Skills Test Waiver Program.
During the first three years of this program, an estimated 6,000 former military personnel received civilian commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). During the past 12 months, an additional 4,000 people, including individuals from the National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard and Reserves, have gained employment thanks to the program.
“It is our duty to help returning veterans transition into civilian life, and I am proud that so many have used this program to secure careers in the transportation sector,”
U.S. Transportation Secretary
Anthony Foxx said. “Just as important, we want to put their valuable skills and experience to work driving the nation's economy.”
The program, which started in 2011, allows state licensing agencies to forgo the skills-test portions on
the CDL application for recently separated or active-duty veterans. These candidates must have a minimum of two years of safe driving experience with a military bus or truck.
“In the near future, the need for skilled truck drivers is expected to grow dramatically,” FMCSA Chief Counsel Scott Darling said. “Having skillful and experienced drivers operating on our roadways will lead to increased safety for every member of the motoring public.”
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