As the Trump administration tightens English-language enforcement and cancels improperly issued commercial driver's licenses, major carrier Werner Enterprises has pledged to hire 1,400 veterans under the new "Freedom Haulers" initiative.
- Crackdown on Commercial CDLs: The administration reported removing over 24,000 non-English-speaking drivers and compelling states to revoke more than 28,000 commercial driver's licenses improperly issued to undocumented immigrants.
- Streamlined Licensing for Vets: Under the "Freedom Haulers" program, veterans with heavy-vehicle military experience can bypass civilian CDL road tests within two years of service, while those without driving experience receive accelerated 3- to 4-week training.
- Major Corporate Commitment: Werner Enterprises President Nathan Meisgeier announced the company will hire 1,400 veterans over the next year, adding to its workforce where 15% of employees are already veterans or military spouses.
- State and GI Bill Support: Thirty-four states have joined the initiative so far, with federal officials confirming veterans can utilize GI Bill benefits to cover training costs for high-paying trucking jobs.
President Donald Trump on Thursday touted a federal push to remove undocumented immigrants from commercial truck driving jobs and replace them with military veterans, an effort backed by one major carrier’s commitment to hire scores former service members.
Speaking at a White House event showcasing the administration's Freedom Haulers initiative, President Trump argued that state-level licensing of non-citizens has endangered American roadways and pointed to federal efforts enforcing English-language requirements and canceling commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) improperly issued to non-citizens.
"For many years, American highways and roadways have been terrorized by unqualified illegal aliens dangerously driving big rigs," Trump said. "Last year alone, illegal aliens with commercial driver's licenses caused at least 30 deaths and many, many (others) very seriously injured.
"We've already removed more than 24,000 non-English speakers from behind the wheel," Trump added. "We've also forced states to cancel more than 28,000 commercial driver's licenses unlawfully issued to illegal aliens."
Under the Freedom Haulers program—a joint effort involving the departments of Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Labor, and War—the administration aims to fast-track veterans into civilian trucking careers. The policy allows veterans with heavy-vehicle military experience to skip redundant civilian road tests to obtain a CDL within two years of active duty service. For veterans without prior truck-driving experience, the administration is offering accelerated training programs.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the administration is "clearing the deck" for veterans to land jobs paying between $80,000 and $100,000 annually. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins added that eligible veterans can use GI Bill benefits to cover CDL training costs.
Flanked by President Trump Thursday afternoon, Nathan Meisgeier, president of Werner Enterprises (CCJ Top 250, No. 14), committed his Omaha, Nebraska-based carrier to hiring 1,400 veterans over the coming year as part of the initiative—a 67% boost to its veteran workforce.
"At Werner, 15% of our 14,000 associates nationwide are veterans and military spouses," Meisgeier said. "Cutting through red tape and translating a veteran's military driving experience directly into a civilian commercial driver's license will have a direct and powerful impact on our ability to bring even more veterans into our workforce."
A 30-year veteran of the Army and Army National Guard, Ricky Washington now drives a truck for Werner. Standing alongside Meisgeier and President Trump, he noted that veterans make exceptional truck drivers "because the core values of the military align seamlessly with the trucking industry. Service members, veterans and military spouses can find a purpose, a community and a way to continue keeping our great nation moving forward."
According to administration officials, 34 states have joined the Freedom Haulers licensing waiver initiative so far through FMCSA's Even Exchange Program. President Trump cited data indicating veteran truckers account for 42% fewer accidents than non-veteran drivers despite driving significantly more miles.
"The radical left wants more jobs for illegal aliens and more migrants in 18-wheelers," Trump said. "The Trump administration wants safer roads and more jobs for the American veteran."
Freedom Haulers' policy extends the FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver window to from one to two years post-service, doubling the timeframe for veterans to translate their experience into a CDL without re-taking the driving exam. To date, more than 40,000 Veterans have used this waiver. Active-duty service members can also now apply and test for a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) or CDL in the state where they are currently stationed, rather than traveling back to their home state—a benefit that is also available for two years post-service.
The U.S. House of Representatives in May passed a bill aimed at easing military veterans’ transition to the trucking industry. The Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act would allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to approve trucking apprenticeship programs operated by commercial trucking companies, allowing veterans to use their VA benefits to attend the programs.
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