We received this notice Nov. 7 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and it’s one of the most awesome programs we’ve seen in a while. It’s described as “a winning strategy for service members, veterans, the transportation industry and our nation,” and it has been developed “to help experienced military drivers transition to commercial driving careers. These individuals offer a proven work ethic, personal discipline and invaluable training and skills. Leveraging their skills is a service to them and a gain for our nation’s commercial motor vehicle (CMV) industry.”
The release, which came to us with the reminder of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, said, “We value the connection between service members and veterans’ capabilities, and their employment is at the heart of FMCSA programs for military drivers. To show appreciation of the training and experience gained by our military service men and women, below are FMCSA programs that make it easier, quicker and less expensive to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).”
It continued, “The Military Skills Test Waiver Program exempts qualified military drivers from having to take the CDL skills test. More than 23,000 service members and veterans have taken advantage of this exemption. The Even Exchange Program (or Knowledge Test Waiver) allows for qualified military drivers to be exempt from the knowledge test. When the exemption is used in conjunction with the Military Skills Test Waiver, this allows a qualified military driver to exchange his or her military license for a CDL.”
And it said, “The Under 21 Military CDL Pilot Program will soon launch. This study research program will assess the safety impacts of allowing qualified military drivers younger than 21 to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant Program assists current or former members of the United States Armed Forces (including National Guard and reserve members) and their spouses in receiving training to transition to the motor carrier industry.”
There is more information about the FMCSA military driver programs on the website https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/commercial-drivers-license/military-driver-programs
In closing, the release requested that we all “please help FMCSA support our country’s service members and veterans by spreading the word on these career transition programs.”
OnionBusiness.com is proud to share the news.
