Earlier this year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it would start a pilot program to allow 18-20-year-old aspiring truck drivers to operate large trucks in interstate commerce. 

In order to be eligible for the pilot program, these young adults must possess the U.S. military equivalent of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are sponsored by a participating trucking company. The program will run for three years, whereupon the safety records of these drivers will be compared to the records of older drivers. 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao supports this program, stating that it “will help our country’s Veterans and Reservists transition into good-paying jobs while addressing the shortage of truck drivers in our country.” 

FMCSA Administrator Raymond P. Martinez also supports this program, since it will “help the brave men and women who serve our country explore employment opportunities in the commercial motor vehicle industry. With the nation’s economy reaching new heights, the trucking industry continues to need drivers and have job openings,” and he also encourages Veterans and Reservists to apply to this program. 

If you are interested in applying to this program, visit FMCSA Website

And, if you would like information on the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Veteran transitions programs, visit the career center