USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FMCSAAbout FMCSA
  

        
              Who We Are
                Mission
                Leadership
                Speaker Request Form
                Field Offices
                Policy
                Career Center
                Contact UsResources
  

        
              Frequently Asked Questions
                Grants
                FMCSA Advisory Committees
                Resources for State and Local Partners
                Reports to Congress
                National Training Center
                Motor Carrier Safety Planner
                Information Systems Overview
                ITD
                PRISM
                Your Roads. Their Freedom. (Stop Human Trafficking)RegulationsRegulations, Rules, & Notices
  

        
              FMCSA Guidance
                Regulations and Interpretations
                Rulemakings Documents
                Federal Register NoticesEnforcement
  

        
              Adjudication Decisions
                Civil Penalties
                Uniform Fine AssessmentTopics
  

        
              Medical
                National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
                Exemptions
                Petitions for Rulemaking
                Petitions for Reconsideration
                Drug & Alcohol Testing
                Hours of Service
                New Entrant Safety Assurance Program
                Electronic Logging Devices (ELD)
                ADA Requirements for Over-the-Road Bus Companies
                Cargo SecurementRegistrationRegistration
  

        
              Do I Need a USDOT Number?
                Daily Register / Certificates / Letters
                Learn About Registration RequirementsMain Menu - Registration - Registration 2
  

        
              Apply for a New USDOT Number and/or Authority
                Update My USDOT Number and/or Authority
                FMCSA Contact CenterCDLCommercial Driver's License
  

        
              Licensing Overview and Resources
                Military Driver ProgramsMain Menu - CDL - CDL 2
  

        
              Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP)
                State ResourcesSafetyMain Menu - Safety -1
  

        
              Passenger Carrier and Bus Safety
                Our Roads, Our SafetyR
                Household Goods - Protect Your Move
                Report a Violation
                Company Safety Data
                CertificationMain Menu - Safety -2
  

        
              International Safety
                Hazardous Materials Safety
                Driver Safety
                Carrier Safety
                Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety
                Coercion/HarassmentResearchAnalysis, Research, & Technology
  

        
              Overview
                Tech-Celerate Now
                Crash Causal Factors Program (CCFP)
                Active Research Projects
                Reports and PublicationsData and Statistics
  

        
              Safety Progress Report
                Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics
                Large Truck and Bus Crash FactsNewsNews
  

        
              Newsroom
                Emergency Declarations
                Press Releases and AnnouncementsConnect with us
  

        
              FMCSA on Facebook
                FMCSA on Handshake
                FMCSA on Linkedin
                FMCSA on Medium (Blog)
                FMCSA on X (formerly Twitter)
                FMCSA on YouTube
                DOT on YouTubeMenu Home
                        FMCSA Registration
                        Commercial Drivers LicenseIn This Section
        CDL Overview
                Getting Started
                Drivers
                Motor Carriers
                Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
                Military Driver Programs
                Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot (SDAP) Program
                Law Enforcement and Judiciary
                States
                Compliance
                Medical
                Human Trafficking
                Rulemaking
                
                FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS PURSUING CAREERS IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY
		

		
		
					
							
		
					
  Document
              Veteran-Truckers-fact-sheet508.pdf (74.23 KB)

		
					Our nation’s outdated infrastructure, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a historic volume of goods moving through our economy have created a supply chain backlog, which has stressed our transportation industry and resulted in a critical shortage of truck drivers. In response, the Biden-Harris Administration launched a Trucking Action Plan to Strengthen America’s Workforce and our nation’s veterans are excellent candidates to help address these challenges and build the next generation’s trucking workforce. The following federal programs and resources are available to transitioning service members and veterans as they prepare to secure a meaningful career with family-sustaining wages in the trucking industry.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Transition Assistance Program (TAP)Offers skills assessments, career-mapping tools, and credentialing exploration workshops to transitioning service members and their spouses.
	Registered Apprenticeship Provides aid employment and technical education for veterans, leading to an industry-recognized credential. Veterans may use their GI Bill benefits in a Registered Apprenticeship.
	90-Day Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge An ongoing initiative encouraging employers to expand existing trucking apprenticeship programs, speed up the creation of new ones, and accelerate the time to hire.
	HIRE Vets Medallion Program Identifies “veteran-ready” trucking and logistics employers.DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (FMCSA)

Skills Test Waiver States may waive commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test for qualified military personnel (all states participate).
	Even Exchange Program (Knowledge Test Waiver) States may waive both CDL skills and knowledge tests for qualified military personnel (Available in CA, GA, IA, ID, IL, KS, KY, MO, NC, ND, NM, SC, VA, VT, WI, and WV).
	Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Grant Program Trains service members, veterans, and military spouses in the safe operation of commercial vehicles.DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD)

Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) Resource for service members seeking information on how to leverage their military training to obtain civilian credentials.
	MilGears Career-building tool for service members, veterans, and military families that analyzes military training received and creates customized paths to civilian education, credentialing, and apprenticeships.
	SkillBridge Provides active duty service members opportunities for training and development with civilian industry during their final six months of military service.
	Soldier for Life Program Assists employers with obtaining base access to participate in veteran and military spouse-focused hiring events and conduct outreach to transitioning service members.
	Marine for Life Network Offers Marines and family members connections to military-friendly employment, education, and entrepreneurship opportunities, including SkillBridge and Registered Apprenticeship Programs.DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)

Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (VR&E) Provides rehabilitation services to assist service members and veterans with a service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap to obtain and maintain employment in an occupation that is consistent with the individual’s interests, aptitudes, and abilities. Eligible individuals work closely with a trained vocational rehabilitation counselor to identify a vocational goal that meets these standards. If it is determined that a career in truck driving meets these standards, VA’s VR&E program will provide services, including training as needed, to assist the individual to obtain and maintain employment in this field.
	Education (GI Bill Benefits) Program Supports service members, veterans, and their families by providing the benefits and resources to help them achieve their education goals. GI Bill programs support beneficiaries pursuing a career in commercial driving through training, on the job/apprenticeship opportunities, and reimbursement of licensing and certification fees.
	The Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP) Offers education and training for high-demand jobs to veterans who are unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

Veterans Business Outreach Center Program (VBOC) Provides business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses, including those who wish to become owner/operators in the trucking industry.Federal Resource Point of Contact: VETS-OUTREACH@dol.gov
		
		

    
		
    
					Last updated: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

1-800-832-5660Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FMCSA
                Regulations
                Safety
                Analysis
                FMCSA PortalNews and Events
  

        
              FMCSA Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Emergency DeclarationsResources
  

        
              Career Center
                Resources for Carriers
                Resources for Consumers
                Resources for Drivers
                Forms
                Contact Us
                Trending TopicsPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards