The Trump Administration launched the Freedom Haulers campaign at the White House, bringing together President Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, VA Secretary Douglas Collins, and Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling to announce a sweeping interagency push to fast-track military veterans into commercial trucking careers.
For fleet owners, safety directors, and compliance officers, the announcements carry real operational and recruiting implications. Here's a breakdown of what changed, what resources are now available, and what it could mean for your hiring pipeline.
What Is the Freedom Haulers Campaign?
Freedom Haulers is a coordinated effort led by the White House and the U.S. Departments of Transportation, Veterans Affairs, War, and Labor. The campaign is designed to connect transitioning service members and veterans with trucking jobs by reducing licensing barriers and expanding existing federal support programs.
The initiative builds on earlier Trump Administration actions aimed at supporting American truckers, including an April 2025 executive action focused on roadway safety and driver standards. According to the Administration, trucker earnings have increased 7.42% and traffic fatalities have reached a historic low during this period.
Illegal immigrants who can’t speak our language have no business getting behind the wheel of a big rig. Veterans – who have already demonstrated the grit, discipline, and skills to take on this vital task – are the right people for the job,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Now through our Freedom Haulers campaign, we are cutting the red tape so these patriots can get their licenses even faster and start making real money in record time. Thanks to President Trump, there has never been a better time to be a truck driver and keep America moving.
Key Policy Changes Announced
1. Military Skills Test Waiver Window Extended to Two Years
Previously, veterans had one year after military separation to use the FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver, which allows qualifying veterans with heavy-vehicle military experience to skip the CDL skills (driving) exam. That window has now been doubled to two years post-service.
More than 40,000 veterans have already used this waiver since its inception. The extended window means more recently separated veterans who may not have immediately pursued a CDL will now have a longer runway to take advantage of their military training.
2. Seven New States Join the Even Exchange Program (Now at 34 States)
The FMCSA Even Exchange Program goes a step further than the Skills Test Waiver, allowing qualified veterans to bypass both the written and driving exams to obtain their CDL, meaning veterans can receive their license in weeks rather than months.
Seven new states have committed to joining the program:
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Indiana
Louisiana
Maryland
Wyoming
This brings the total participating state count to 34 states. If your fleet operates in any of these newly added states, this program may significantly shorten the time it takes to onboard a veteran driver.
3. Active-Duty Service Members Can Now Test in Their State of Duty Station
Under the new policy, active-duty service members can apply for and test for a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) or CDL in the state where they are currently stationed, rather than having to return to their home state. This benefit extends for two years post-service as well, reducing a major logistical barrier that previously slowed the CDL process for transitioning service members.
Werner Trucking's Major Hiring Pledge
On the private sector side, Werner Trucking announced a commitment to hire 1,400 military veterans and military spouses in 2027, a 67% boost to its veteran workforce. This signals growing industry momentum around veteran hiring, and fleets of all sizes may find it worthwhile to establish or expand formal veteran recruitment programs before competition for this talent pool intensifies.
Federal Resources Now Available to Support Veteran Hiring
The Freedom Haulers campaign consolidates several existing federal programs under one umbrella. Here's a quick reference for fleets looking to leverage these resources:
GI Bill — CDL Tuition Coverage
The VA's GI Bill can cover up to 100% of CDL tuition at State Approving Agency-approved schools. For veterans with service-connected disabilities, the Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program can fully fund training and assist with carrier job placement. Fleets that partner with approved CDL schools may be better positioned to attract veteran candidates using these benefits.
SkillBridge — On-the-Job Training During Final Days of Service
The Department of War's SkillBridge program allows transitioning service members to spend their final 180 days of active duty training in civilian roles, including trucking. For carriers, this is an opportunity to essentially train a future hire before they even separate from service, at no cost to the employer.
DOL Apprenticeship Program — Stipends on Top of Paychecks
The Department of Labor's Veterans Apprenticeship Program allows veterans to receive a monthly educational housing stipend in addition to their regular trucking paycheck while completing on-the-job training. This can make entry-level positions more financially attractive to candidates who might otherwise hold out for higher-paying established roles.
FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver & Even Exchange Program
As detailed above, these two FMCSA programs are the primary licensing fast-tracks available to veteran candidates. Fleets should ensure their recruiting teams and driver qualification staff are familiar with both programs so they can guide veteran applicants through the process efficiently.
What This Means for Your Fleet
The Freedom Haulers initiative represents a meaningful expansion of the federal infrastructure designed to move veterans into CDL seats faster. A few action items are worth considering:
Update your onboarding process. Make sure your driver qualification staff understand how Skills Test Waivers and Even Exchange CDLs are issued and what documentation is required to properly verify and file these credentials in driver qualification files.
Check your state's Even Exchange participation. If you operate in any of the seven newly added states (or any of the existing 27), confirm your recruiting team knows to ask veteran applicants about their eligibility for this fast-track licensing option.
Explore SkillBridge partnerships. Carriers that establish formal SkillBridge agreements can essentially develop a pre-hire pipeline of trained veteran drivers at no labor cost during the training period.
Coordinate with VA-approved CDL schools. Referring veteran applicants to schools approved by State Approving Agencies ensures they can use GI Bill benefits, making your positions more accessible and attractive.
Review driver qualification file requirements. Regardless of how a veteran obtained their CDL — waiver, Even Exchange, or traditional testing — your DQ file requirements under 49 CFR Part 391 remain unchanged. Ensure all standard documentation is collected and retained.
The Bottom Line
Freedom Haulers is the most coordinated federal push to date for connecting the military community with commercial trucking careers. For fleets, this initiative offers a genuine recruitment opportunity backed by federal resources that can reduce training costs and shorten time-to-seat for veteran candidates. For compliance teams, the key is understanding how expedited licensing programs interact with your existing driver qualification processes so you can hire confidently and stay compliant.
