Trucking Careers · Nationwide · November 12, 2026

On Veterans Day, DOT Says 12 Trucking Companies Have Committed to Hire More Than 13,000 Veterans

By Big Rig Daily Staff

On Veterans Day, the federal government said trucking companies have promised to hire more than 13,000 veterans, part of an effort to help veterans move into truck driving careers. The update came Nov. 11 at an event on the National Mall in Washington, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

What was announced

The program is called Freedom Haulers. The Transportation Department says:

• 12 trucking companies have committed to hiring more than 13,000 veterans.
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is putting $3.5 million into training providers in 21 states.
• Nearly 400 veterans have already used their GI Bill benefits through the effort.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs held the event, joined by a veteran who became a trucker and by trucking industry leaders, according to a summary of the event.

The idea behind it

Many veterans already drove heavy trucks in the military. Freedom Haulers, launched in July, is meant to connect them with faster paths to a commercial driver's license and with trucking jobs. The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Labor and the military are part of the effort, according to the event summary.

A longer window to skip the skills test

Under changes made in July, veterans with experience safely operating heavy military vehicles can apply to skip the CDL skills test for up to two years after leaving the service. That window used to be one year.

Big Rig Daily has covered the military CDL testing waiver before. Veterans should check with their state licensing agency on how the process works where they live.

The real test

A hiring promise is one thing. Keeping veterans in the seat once they see the pay, the parking and the time away from home is another.

Why it matters to truckers

For veterans weighing a second career, the skills test waiver can shorten the road to a CDL, and the training money is aimed at providers in 21 states. For carriers, it is another source of experienced heavy vehicle operators at a time when many fleets are watching costs closely.

Quick facts

• Program: Freedom Haulers, launched in July.
• Hiring commitments: 12 trucking companies, more than 13,000 veterans.
• Training money: $3.5 million from FMCSA to training providers in 21 states.
• GI Bill use: nearly 400 veterans so far.
• Skills test waiver window: up to two years after leaving service, up from one year.

FAQ

Who can skip the CDL skills test?

Veterans with experience safely operating heavy military vehicles can apply to skip the skills test for up to two years after leaving the service, under changes made in July.

How much training money is involved?

FMCSA is putting $3.5 million into training providers in 21 states, according to the Transportation Department.

A question for readers

What would you tell a veteran thinking about trucking as a second career?

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