Veterans in Trucking: A Veterans Day Thank-You
By iAgency
Every November 11, a lot of trucks roll down the highway with someone behind the wheel who once drove a very different kind of rig. Veterans and trucking go together like coffee and a 4 a.m. pre-trip. OOIDA, the owner-operator group, says nearly 40 percent of its members have served. So this Veterans Day, we want to say thank you, and share a few things that make the road from military service to a civilian CDL a little shorter.
Why so many veterans end up driving
Ask a veteran driver why trucking fits, and you will hear some familiar themes. You work with a mission. You check your equipment before you roll. You follow procedures because they keep people safe. You can handle long days and changing plans without losing your cool. Many service members also spent real time behind the wheel of heavy military vehicles, which is a head start most new drivers do not have.
It is not just a feeling. Large carriers are paying attention too. Werner has pledged to hire 1,400 military veterans and military spouses in 2027.
The practical part: faster paths to a CDL
In July 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched its Freedom Haulers campaign to help veterans move into trucking careers. If you served, or you know someone who did, here is what is worth knowing:
More time to use the skills test waiver. States can waive the CDL driving skills test for service members and veterans with qualifying heavy military vehicle experience. That window is now two years after leaving service, up from one. DOT says more than 40,000 veterans have used the waiver.
34 Even Exchange states. Seven more states joined the Even Exchange Program in 2026: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland and Wyoming. In these states, qualified military drivers can skip the CDL knowledge test.
Test where you are stationed. Active-duty members can now apply and test for a learner's permit or CDL in the state where they are stationed.
Training exemption. FreightWaves reports that veterans who meet the skills test waiver rules are also exempt from Entry-Level Driver Training.
One place to start. The Freedom Haulers website puts federal resources and partner programs in one spot. VA education benefits may also help with CDL school costs, so check your eligibility with the VA before you enroll.
One honest note: FreightWaves pointed out that the core rules did not change. Experience, driving record and medical requirements stay the same. Faster does not mean easier, and that is a good thing for everyone on the road.
Small ways to say thanks on the road
You do not need a parade to honor a veteran driver. A few ideas from our side of the coffee pot:
Buy the next cup for the driver with the service cap at the fuel island.
If you run a fleet, put a simple thank-you in the dispatch message on November 11.
Ask a veteran driver to mentor a new hire. Many of them have been training people for years.
Listen to the stories. Some of the best ones you will ever hear start with "When I was in..."
A quick tip for small fleets hiring veterans
Here is the one practical takeaway we always share. A new civilian CDL can still look like a new driver to an insurance company, even with years of military driving. Before a veteran hauls a load for you, talk to your agent about how your insurer views military experience, pull the motor vehicle record, run the Clearinghouse check, and add the driver to your commercial auto liability insurance policy. Our article on hiring safer drivers after the CDL training crackdown has more hiring tips.
Thinking about your own authority after service? Our owner-operator insurance page explains the core coverages, and you can start an online quote whenever you are ready.
To every veteran who keeps America moving: thank you. We are proud to share the road with you.
About iAgency
iAgency is a commercial trucking insurance agency for owner-operators, small fleets and the partners who support them, including dispatchers, factoring companies and accountants. Call or text 469-501-1071, email coi@iagency.biz for certificates, or get an online quote.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, President Trump, Secretary Duffy host vets at White House (July 30, 2026). Also: FreightWaves, DOT says Freedom Haulers opens an express lane for veterans (July 30, 2026).
Photo: Landon Liedtke on Unsplash.
This article is general information, not coverage or legal advice. Coverage depends on your policy terms.