Press Release

Congress Passes Bill to Expand Veterans鈥 Access to CDL Training

Sep 25, 2024

Washington 鈥 Today the 黑料不打烊 applauded the passage of the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act that would cut red tape and enable veterans to obtain their CDLs more easily. 听The bill cleared the House by voice vote today and previously passed the Senate unanimously. 听It now heads to the president鈥檚 desk to be signed into law.

鈥淲hen the brave men and women in our armed forces return home, the last thing they should have to worry about is red tape preventing them from achieving the American dream that they fought to defend,鈥 said 黑料不打烊 President and CEO Chris Spear. 听鈥淚mproving veterans鈥 access to CDL programs will open the door of opportunity to good-paying, in-demand jobs in the trucking industry. 听We are appreciative of the leadership by Senators Fischer and Padilla and Representatives Edwards and Pappas on this important bill, which will help veterans secure rewarding careers and alleviate the truck driver shortage.鈥

Currently, if an approved trucking school opens a secondary facility in a new location, the law requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and state regulators to deny the branch鈥檚 ability to receive GI benefits for two years.

The Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act would remove this arbitrary road block by allowing veterans to use their GI Bill benefits at new branches of commercial driver training schools immediately, provided the primary institutions have already been approved by the VA and State Approving Agencies to receive GI benefits.听

The ATA-endorsed bill is a win-win that will enable more of our nation鈥檚 heroes to receive the training they need to obtain high-paying careers in the trucking industry after they have completed their military service, and it will expand the trucking industry鈥檚 access to this exceptional pool of talent. 听

The Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act was introduced by U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and Alex Padilla (D-California) and Representatives Chuck Edwards (R-North Carolina) and Chris Pappas (D-New Hampshire). 听