Finally some military vets will get a short cut past the damn red tape and bureaucracy of a CDL if they were driving the military equivalent while on active duty in the last 24 months
FMCSA announced the pilot program’s launch June 3. The program, slated to run for up to three years, is meant to help veterans and reservists find jobs in the trucking industry.
The pilot program, outlined in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, will allow a limited number of people in this age range (because they work for less money, and aren't as cranky) to drive trucks interstate as long as they possess the military equivalent of a CDL and are sponsored by a participating trucking company. During the program, these drivers’ safety records will be compared to the records of a control group of drivers.
“We are excited to launch this program to help the brave men and women who serve our country explore employment opportunities in the commercial motor vehicle industry,” said FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez in the announcement. “With the nation’s economy reaching new heights, the trucking industry continues to need drivers and have job openings. We encourage veterans and reservists to apply and to learn more about this exciting new program.”
American Trucking Associations estimates that the industry is short at least 50,000 drivers (who will undercut the going rate of experienced drivers) ATA President Chris Spear has repeatedly identified young people, particularly those with a background of military service, as an untapped pool of talent.
Current federal law does not allow this age group to drive Class 8 commercial motor vehicles across state lines.
Also;
The Troops to Trucks program allows the DMV to waive the CDL driving test for qualified military service members who are, or were employed within the last year, in a military position requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle on public roads and highways.
FMCSA announced the pilot program’s launch June 3. The program, slated to run for up to three years, is meant to help veterans and reservists find jobs in the trucking industry.
The pilot program, outlined in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, will allow a limited number of people in this age range (because they work for less money, and aren't as cranky) to drive trucks interstate as long as they possess the military equivalent of a CDL and are sponsored by a participating trucking company. During the program, these drivers’ safety records will be compared to the records of a control group of drivers.
“We are excited to launch this program to help the brave men and women who serve our country explore employment opportunities in the commercial motor vehicle industry,” said FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez in the announcement. “With the nation’s economy reaching new heights, the trucking industry continues to need drivers and have job openings. We encourage veterans and reservists to apply and to learn more about this exciting new program.”
American Trucking Associations estimates that the industry is short at least 50,000 drivers (who will undercut the going rate of experienced drivers) ATA President Chris Spear has repeatedly identified young people, particularly those with a background of military service, as an untapped pool of talent.
Current federal law does not allow this age group to drive Class 8 commercial motor vehicles across state lines.
Also;
The Troops to Trucks program allows the DMV to waive the CDL driving test for qualified military service members who are, or were employed within the last year, in a military position requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle on public roads and highways.
To be eligible, you must be active duty military or a recent honorably discharged veteran with at least two years experience operating a commercial motor vehicle as part of your military job requirements.
Unfortunately it's narrow focus means a lot of vets don't meet the requirement of the 24 month time frame. I was also a bus driver during shipyard, used a forklift daily, and had a 5 ton flatbed license too that was used during TPD. If you've never been in the military, it's unlike civilain jobs that typically do the same thing every day, week, and year... it's constantly changing, adapting, and whether you just transferred, were promoted to a high rank, are between assignments or kept from an extended tour at sea due to billeting and training requirements, it's not unheard of for the active duty to accomplish a dozen different "jobs" a year. Unlike the civilian life I've had since getting out of the Navy, every new job except washing dishes and cleaning, is proceeded by lots of training, and getting checked out by more senior people to make sure you're good enough at the new job to do it without supervision.
(not that I'm unhappy with my current job, it's helpful with the blog as a side affect) but being a trucker would provide a hell of a lot more content to post about
https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/search/transportation-jobs/military-veteran-cdl.html
https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-transition/new-rules-help-get-commercial-drivers-license.html
let me see if I can do the math,
ReplyDeleteyou enter the military at age 18?
serve two years, and then at age 20 or 20 and a half, you can drive a truck across state lines.
this is saving , at best, 12 months , more likely its less than that.
did I miscalculate something?
I dont see this helping the people leaving the military very much
is there alot of people who leave the military before age 21 that didnt get booted out?
that served honorably for two years and got discharged before their 21st birthday ?
my son attended the CDL class at a state run Vo/Tech school,
$1600 for a 36 day / 230 hour course, got hired by a company and was driving intra-state for a couple months till his 21st birthday.
the large trucking companies are doing everything they can to force wages even lower for their existing drivers.
constantly claiming there is a "shortage" of drivers.
there is NO shortage of drivers, there is a shortage of drivers who will stay working for a company that pays them peanuts and treats them like dog poop stuck to their shoe.
you got it exactly the way I did... who the hell is under 21, but honorably discharged, and looking to be a truck driver for min wage? No one. And I completely agree, there's no shortage of truckers to hire for any company that wants experienced safe drivers... they simply would have to pay better than entry level Swift and Schnieder type corporate outfits.
DeleteYou pay peanuts, you end up with monkeys.
ReplyDelete