It’s not news to any one that there has been a shortage of qualified truck drivers, even before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies have had to lay off employees across every industry, but the world hasn’t stopped, and that hasn’t changed. Fortunately, transitioning service members could be the perfect solution to your organization’s open trucking positions.
Commercial truck and bus drivers are in high demand with a current shortage of qualified drivers. Service members are a great renewable resource for talent with over 200,000 transitioning out of the military every year. These individuals also come equipped with the skills to get the job done and have an unmatched work ethic. In addition, many occupations in the military require the operation of heavy military vehicles, similar to their commercial counterparts.
The Department of Transportation agrees, and has developed a program to assist service members and veterans in transitioning to civilian transportation careers. These programs are designed to make it easier, quicker, and less expensive for experienced military drivers to obtain Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).
Military Skills Test Waiver Program
The Military Skills Waiver Program allows veterans and transitioning service members with at least two years of experience safely operating heavy military vehicles to obtain a CDL without taking the driving test (skills test). More than 26,000 individuals have already taken advantage of the program. This program is available in every state and can help your organization save a step and fill your open positions quickly with top qualified talent.
Participation Requirements:
- You must have held a military driver’s license
- Have at least two years of safe military driving experience (including no disqualifications, suspensions, or license revocations)
- Military drivers must apply within one year before or one year after leaving a military position that required the operation of a commercial motor vehicle
- Reserve or National Guard, veterans, or transitioning from active duty are candidates
Even Exchange Program
This program allows qualified military drivers to be exempt from the knowledge test to obtain a CDL. When used in conjunction with the Military Skills Test Waiver, this allows a driver to exchange a military license for a CDL. Drivers must provide proof of their medical certificate to apply.
States Currently Participating:
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Wisconsin
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Missouri
- South Carolina
- Idaho
- Georgia
- New Mexico
- Kentucky
Under 21 Military Driver Program
To assess the safety impacts of allowing qualified military drivers younger than 21 to operate CMVs in interstate commerce, FMCSA has launched a three-year pilot program. With commercial drivers in high demand, these pilot programs are designed to provide civilian career opportunities in transportation to Reserve and National Guard members ages 18-20.
Program Requirements:
- Any 18-20 years old may participate
- Received heavy-vehicle driver training and experience while in service
- Hired by an approved motor carrier
- Approved occupational specialty code (MOS) or job rating for this program
Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Grants
This program provides funds to educational institutions that provide commercial driver training, including accredited public or private colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, post-secondary educational institutions, truck driver training schools, associations, and state and local governments. These Grants help institutions recruit and train service members and their families for professional bus and truck driving careers.
Tapping into the military community is an effective way to deal with your open positions, especially when it comes to hiring qualified truck drivers. Understanding how your organization can leverage these programs will help to ensure that your talent pipeline is full and your trucks stay on the road.