The Trump administration is launching a new initiative aimed at encouraging military personnel to transition into civilian truck driving roles. This effort comes in response to a significant reduction in the number of immigrant truck drivers, following a crackdown that resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of licenses this year.
On Friday, the administration unveiled a campaign that promotes programs allowing veterans—particularly those with experience driving large military vehicles—to bypass certain requirements when applying for a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Other service members can enroll in commercial driving schools during their final six months of active duty. Additionally, the GI Bill will cover 100% of the training costs for a CDL, and in some cases, veterans may receive a housing allowance while attending school.
This campaign is part of a broader interagency effort that the White House plans to announce officially on Monday, aimed at helping veterans secure meaningful civilian employment. The urgency for these initiatives is underscored by recent enforcement of existing English language requirements for truck drivers, which began last summer. The concerns over driver qualifications intensified following a tragic accident in Florida, where a truck driver’s illegal U-turn resulted in three fatalities. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that this driver should never have been licensed.
Audits conducted across the country revealed numerous instances of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses that remained valid long after the associated immigrant’s work permits had lapsed or were issued without proper verification of citizenship status. In light of these findings, approximately 26,000 drivers have been removed from the roads for failing to meet English proficiency requirements, and about 30,000 commercial licenses were canceled due to illegal issuance.
In response to these issues, the federal government has taken steps to withhold highway funds from states like California and New York that have not complied with federal regulations regarding the revocation of these licenses. This has led to legal battles as other states, including Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and North Carolina, face warnings of potential funding losses.
“We are removing more and more dangerous foreign drivers off our roads every day and restoring the integrity of America’s trucking industry,” stated Duffy. He emphasized that the new Freedom Haulers campaign would further these efforts and inform veterans that now is an opportune time to enter the trucking profession.
The trucking industry has generally welcomed the administration’s initiative to eliminate unqualified drivers and close down fraudulent CDL schools. Industry leaders highlight the value of veterans as they make up approximately 15% of the workforce in trucking, bringing crucial leadership, discipline, and technical skills to the field. Derek Leathers, chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises, remarked, “We are dedicated to providing them with meaningful careers and a supportive environment where they can thrive.”
Cole Stevens, chief strategy officer at a trucking company named after him, echoed these sentiments, noting that many of the best drivers he has encountered are military veterans. “Their integrity, accountability, and mission-first mindset make them an incredible asset,” he stated.
In addition to enforcing current regulations, the government plans to tighten the eligibility criteria for immigrants seeking non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses, requiring applicants to take tests in English. However, these new rules are currently facing legal challenges. Under the proposed regulations, only holders of specific visas (H-2A, H-2B, or E-2) will be able to qualify for licenses. The H-2A visa is for temporary agricultural workers, the H-2B visa is for temporary non-agricultural workers, and the E-2 visa is for individuals making substantial investments in a U.S. business.
Despite immigrants comprising about 20% of the truck driving workforce, the licenses in question represent only about 5% of all commercial driver’s licenses—approximately 200,000 drivers. Some immigrant advocacy groups argue that many drivers are being unfairly targeted, especially in light of the heightened scrutiny following high-profile accidents involving Sikh drivers.
The Transportation Department aims to collaborate with the Pentagon and the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor to promote trucking as a viable employment option for veterans seeking independence outside of traditional desk jobs. Veterans will still need to pass the written test for a CDL, but those who have operated military vehicles over 2.5 tons can bypass the skills test. So far, over 40,000 veterans have taken advantage of this program, allowing them to hit the road within weeks.
As the trucking market tightens and demand for drivers increases, the average salary for truck drivers now sits around $70,000 annually. Veterans who have served for at least three years can utilize the GI Bill to finance their CDL training, potentially qualifying for additional housing stipends as they transition into this growing field.
