Freedom Haulers Act

The "Freedom Haulers Act" seeks to streamline the process for military personnel to obtain commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) upon transitioning to civilian life. It directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to extend the waiver period for the CDL skills test from 12 months to 24 months after a qualified individual separates from military service. This provision aims to provide service members with more time to utilize their military driving experience for civilian licensure. Additionally, the bill mandates that states implement a mandatory even exchange program for military commercial motor vehicle operators. This program allows current and former service members, who held specific military occupational specialties involving vehicle operation, to waive certain CDL requirements. These waivers are conditional on their relevant military experience and a clean driving record, facilitating their entry into the commercial trucking industry. Specifically, states shall waive the CDL knowledge test, the CDL driving test, and certain endorsement tests (for passenger, tank vehicle, and hazardous materials) for eligible military operators. To qualify, applicants must certify their experience, such as operating commercial motor vehicles for at least two years prior to separation, and demonstrate a clean driving history free of serious traffic violations or at-fault crashes. However, the bill explicitly states that these waivers do not exempt individuals from medical certifications, background checks , or other general CDL qualification standards.