The Department of Transportation has launched the "Freedom Haulers" initiative to recruit veterans with heavy-vehicle experience into commercial trucking. Eligible veterans may apply for FMCSA waivers to skip certain redundant road tests and, if they served at least three years, can potentially receive VA-funded CDL training. The effort follows a similar spring 2025 recruitment for veteran military air traffic controllers and comes amid industry strains, enforcement of English-language requirements, and rising trucking costs.
DOT Launches "Freedom Haulers" Initiative To Recruit Veterans As Truck Drivers
Freight trucks at the Port Newark Container Terminal in Newark, New Jersey on July 24, 2026.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched a new initiative, dubbed "Freedom Haulers," to encourage military veterans who operated heavy vehicles to transition into commercial trucking. The interagency campaign aims to fill urgent driver shortages by highlighting veterans' experience with large vehicles and the discipline gained in service.
What the Initiative Offers
The campaign targets former service members with heavy-vehicle experience and will be supported by a national advertising push. Veterans interested in trucking must obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL); however, those with qualifying military driving backgrounds may apply to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for waivers that exempt them from certain redundant road tests.
Training And Funding
According to the Department of Transportation, veterans who served at least three years may be eligible for VA-funded training. The Department of Veterans Affairs' tuition cap typically covers the full cost of CDL training for qualifying veterans, reducing financial barriers to entry.
"There's never been a better time for America's former service members to get behind the wheel of a big rig. Trucking requires the precision, independence, and discipline that they forged in the military — there's no one better to tackle the challenge," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Policy Context And Industry Strain
The department announced the program after President Donald Trump proposed the idea earlier this month. The push follows a spring 2025 effort that encouraged veteran military air traffic controllers to move into similar roles at the Federal Aviation Administration.
The recruitment drive comes amid increased enforcement actions and broader strains on the trucking industry. Over the past year, regulators have canceled some commercial licenses and removed drivers from routes for failing to meet federal English-language requirements, a step officials say improves safety. At the same time, the industry has faced thousands of revoked licenses, tariffs, rising fuel costs linked to the conflict with Iran, and disruptions from last year's government shutdown. In June, trucking rates were reported to be more than 25% higher than a year earlier, according to industry analysts.
What Veterans Should Know
- Veterans must obtain a CDL but may qualify for FMCSA waivers if their military driving experience is comparable to commercial requirements.
- Those with at least three years of service may receive VA-funded training; applicants should confirm VA eligibility and local training providers.
- Prospective drivers should be prepared to meet federal language and safety standards required for commercial operations.
Implications
Officials argue the initiative could help relieve driver shortages while offering veterans stable careers. Observers say success will depend on streamlined credentialing, accessible training, and ensuring safety standards — including adequate language proficiency — are maintained.
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