FMCSA Seeks to Loosen Requirements for Vets to Become CMV Drivers

Last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a proposal aimed at easing the requirements for military veterans looking to obtain a commercial drivers license (CDL) for operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The proposed changes would apply to military personnel who have left the military and previously held positions in the military requiring operations of a CMV. The changes include: 

1. Revise 49 CFR 383.77(b)(1) governing the Military Skills Test Waiver to extend the time period to apply for a waiver from 90 days to 1 year following separation from military service;

2. Revise 49 CFR 383.77(b)(3) to add the option to qualify for a CDL based on training and experience in an MOC [Military Occupational Specialty] dedicated to military CMV operation; and

3. Revise the definitions of CDL and CLP in 49 CFR 383.5 and 49 CFR 384.212 and related provisions governing the domicile requirement, in order to implement the statutory waiver enacted by The Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012.

Comments on the proposal are due by May 16, 2016.

Click here to view the proposal. For more information, contact Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org or Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.