The Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act, which is meant to cut red tape and enable veterans to obtain their CDLs more easily, is a step closer to becoming law.
The bill cleared the House by voice vote earlier this week and previously passed the Senate unanimously. It now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“When the brave men and women in our armed forces return home, the last thing they should have to worry about is red tape preventing them from achieving the American dream that they fought to defend,” said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear. “Improving veterans’ access to CDL programs will open the door of opportunity to good-paying, in-demand jobs in the trucking industry. We are appreciative of the leadership by Senators Fischer and Padilla and Representatives Edwards and Pappas on this important bill, which will help veterans secure rewarding careers and alleviate the truck driver shortage.”
Currently, if an approved trucking school opens a secondary facility in a new location, the law requires the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and state regulators to deny the branch’s ability to receive GI benefits for two years. The Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act would remove this road block by allowing veterans to use their GI Bill benefits at new branches of commercial driver training schools immediately, provided the primary institutions have already been approved by the VA and state spproving sgencies to receive GI benefits. T
The Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act was introduced by U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and Alex Padilla (D-California) and Representatives Chuck Edwards (R-North Carolina) and Chris Pappas (D-New Hampshire).
St. Louis resident wins CDL scholarship
Driver Resource Center recently announced Jason Little as the first recipient of the Future of Trucking Scholarship.
Little, a St. Louis resident, has been awarded the $1,000 scholarship to support his tuition at MTC Truck Driver Training in St. Ann, Missouri, according to a company press release.
The Future of Trucking Scholarship, introduced earlier this year, provides financial assistance to aspiring truck drivers in the St. Louis area. The scholarship is awarded quarterly and reflects Driver Resource Center’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the trucking industry. It was designed to help people like Little who have long been passionate about starting a career in trucking.
“We are thrilled to have Jason as the first recipient of the Future of Trucking Scholarship,” Brock Bauza, DRC’s director oif enrollment said. “His enthusiasm for the industry is exactly what we’re looking to support with this scholarship.”
Applications are now open for the next scholarship round, and the deadline to apply is Nov. 30.
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