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Veterans can now more easily transition from the frontlines abroad to the frontlines of our domestic economy.
Commercial Driver’s Licenses, known as CDLs, are one of the most sought after certifications by employers in the country. They are required to operate large or heavy equipment, anything from front loaders to school buses, and even semi trucks.
To get one, an applicant must go through a background check and register with the federal Transportation Security Administration, pass at least one knowledge test, some up to 70 questions long, and complete a skills test. The process is time consuming and potentially expensive. The requirements could not be waived in the past, regardless of military experience, but that is now changing. Both Representative Greg Markkanen, a Republican, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, have praised the enactment of Public Act 148 in recent weeks.
Veterans who can prove that they have a background in heavy equipment operation are now able to waive taking the knowledge test entirely.
Markkanen and Benson’s full statements can be found below.
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A plan from State Rep. Greg Markkanen helping veterans use acquired skills to excel professionally has been signed into law by the governor.
House Bill 4787, now Public Act 148 of 2021, waives a knowledge test for a person with military experience who is applying for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Michigan. CDL applicants must take a skills and knowledge test, and Michigan currently provides a skills test waiver for those who have at least two years of experience operating heavy military vehicles.
Since the state did not previously waive the knowledge portion, it was unable to access a federal program 14 other states participate in allowing for qualified drivers to easily obtain CDLs.
“This new law offers practicality, recognizes the experience these individuals have and allows Michigan to be competitive for workers,” Markkanen said. “This is going to save our military members, including ones in the U.P., time and hassle when they choose to enter this vital industry.”
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 40,000 service members and veterans have taken advantage of this program across the country.
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Benson: “Those who serve in our armed forces undergo extensive training to fulfill their duties, and often receive certifications specific to their services, including commercial driver’s licenses. It is past time for the law to be changed to allow the license they have earned during active duty to serve them in civilian life as well. Supporting our veterans continues to be one of my top priorities, and I’m grateful to see House Bill 4787 is on its way to the governor. I look forward to implementing the necessary changes within our department to ensure military veterans who have successfully earned the equivalent of a CDL do not have to repeat the process.”
