H.R. 10099: Freedom Haulers Act

This bill would make it easier for certain veterans and service members who drove military vehicles to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and some CDL-related endorsements.

What changes it makes

• Extends the CDL skills-test waiver period: Under current rules, some qualified military members can use military driving experience to get a waiver from the CDL skills test, but only if they apply within 12 months after leaving the military. This bill would extend that window to 24 months.
• Requires states to waive the CDL knowledge test in certain cases: For eligible military operators, states would have to waive the written knowledge test needed for a commercial learner’s permit or CDL, as long as the person meets the bill’s conditions.
• Requires states to waive the CDL driving test in certain cases: For eligible military operators who already have a valid civilian driver’s license, states would have to waive the driving test required for a CDL, if the person meets the bill’s conditions.
• Requires waivers for some endorsements: Eligible military operators could also receive waivers for:
  • Passenger endorsements — waiving both the driving test and specialized knowledge test,
  • Tank vehicle endorsements — waiving the specialized knowledge test, and
  • Hazardous materials endorsements — waiving the specialized knowledge test, while still requiring any federally required background checks and other existing standards.
• Requires state participation: States would have to create the procedures and forms needed to run this program and accept applications in the same way they accept other CDL applications.

Who would qualify

The bill covers certain current or former members of the Armed Forces who were trained and employed in specific military driving roles, including some Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy vehicle operators. To qualify for the waivers, applicants would need to show recent relevant military driving experience and meet several safety-related conditions, such as:

• not having multiple civilian driver’s licenses,
• not having had a license suspended, revoked, or canceled,
• not having certain serious motor vehicle convictions, and
• not having been at fault in a crash or committed certain traffic offenses during the covered period.

What the bill does not change

• It does not remove medical certification requirements for CDL holders.
• It does not remove background checks where they are otherwise required.
• It does not eliminate other qualification standards that apply to CDL applicants generally.

Relevant Companies

None found