Trump Administration rolls out 'Freedom Haulers' veteran truck driver program

The White House announced the “Freedom Haulers” initiative, encouraging U.S. military veterans to become commercial truck drivers as many immigrant‑licensed drivers lose their CDL credentials. Veterans who have recently operated heavy military vehicles may obtain a commercial driver’s license without the usual road‑test, while others can attend training during their final six months of active duty. The GI Bill will cover the full cost of CDL training and, for some, provide a housing stipend.

The program responds to a Department of Transportation crackdown that has removed roughly 26,000 drivers for inadequate English proficiency and cancelled about 30,000 licenses issued illegally. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said the measures improve road safety after a deadly Florida crash involving an undocumented driver. Federal officials have also threatened to withhold highway‑funding from states such as California and New York that fail to revoke non‑compliant licenses.