WASHINGTON, D.C.— Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV announced today that legislation he cosponsored could soon ease the process for former military troops to obtain their commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) when they leave the service and are back home looking for work as commercial drivers.

The bill, which was introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe and cosponsored by several members of the Committee, builds on efforts from earlier in the year to help service members obtain their CDLs. The Military Commercial Driver’s License Act of 2012 (S. 3624) passed the Senate during its legislative wrap-up and now awaits action in the House of Representatives and Rockefeller asked the House to take up the measure as soon as possible.

“We have a chance to help members of our military put their training to good use after their service ends,” said Rockefeller. “If they have received driving training in the military, certainly they are ready to drive here in the U.S. as commercial drivers. At the same time, our trucking industry is seeking more drivers to satisfy increasing demands so this measure should help create new jobs. This is a win-win for our men and women in uniform and the American economy and I am pleased the Senate acted on this bill.”

Under current law, states are only able to issue CDLs to persons who are legal residents in the state.  Since many military personnel often receive their vehicle training in locations other than their homes of record, including their duty stations, the current law makes it difficult for them to obtain a CDL before leaving military service. 

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