Freedom Haulers: 12 Fleets Pledge to Hire 13,000 Veterans
By June Okafor · 2026-11-13 · 5 min read
Twelve trucking companies have committed to hiring more than 13,000 veterans, the U.S. Department of Transportation said on November 11. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs announced the pledges at a Veterans Day event on the National Mall, where they gave the first public scorecard for Freedom Haulers, the veteran-to-trucking campaign the department launched in July.
The headline number is the hiring pledge. The rest of the update is smaller and partly familiar, so it helps to separate what is new from what was already on the table.
What was announced
| Item | Figure | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Carriers pledging to hire veterans | 12 | New; companies not named in coverage we reviewed |
| Veterans those carriers pledged to hire | more than 13,000 | New pledge, made with the Department of Labor |
| FMCSA money for veteran driver training | $3.5 million | Previously announced, per Truck News |
| States where that training money goes | 21 | Previously announced |
| Veterans who used GI Bill benefits for trucking | nearly 400 | Reported since the July launch |
| States partnering on Freedom Haulers | 42 | Figure given by Duffy at the event |
The department's own release is on the USDOT briefing room. Its headline promises "millions more" in training grants, but the coverage we found did not list new grant amounts, recipients or deadlines beyond the $3.5 million for programs in 21 states. We will update when the grant details are published.
What a pledge is, and what it is not
A hiring pledge is a statement of intent. It is not a job offer, and it does not change the rules a carrier must follow before putting anyone in a truck. A veteran hired under the program still needs a valid CDL, a DOT medical card, a clean Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query and a driving record that satisfies the carrier's insurer.
The coverage also did not say over what period the 13,000 hires would happen. Twelve fleets hiring 13,000 drivers is a big number for one year and a modest one over five. Until the companies or DOT give a timeline, treat it as a goal rather than a count of open seats.
The faster CDL route already exists
The more useful part of Freedom Haulers for a veteran is the paperwork shortcut, and that is not new either. Two FMCSA programs have been around for years:
- Military Skills Test Waiver. A state may waive the CDL skills test, meaning the pre-trip, basic control and road test, for a service member or recent veteran who drove heavy military vehicles. The rule is in 49 CFR 383.77. The applicant still takes the knowledge tests.
- Even Exchange. In participating states, a qualifying service member or veteran can trade a military CMV license for a civilian CDL without the knowledge or skills test.
What changed this summer is the window. FMCSA said in July it would let veterans use the waiver for up to two years after leaving service instead of one, according to TheTrucker. That expansion was issued as a temporary waiver, and reports differ on how long it runs. The text of 383.77 itself still describes the one-year window. If you separated more than a year ago, ask your state licensing office whether it is still honoring the longer window before you count on it.
State participation is another moving piece. Duffy put the number of partner states at 42, but counts of states that actually run Even Exchange differ between sources, and FMCSA's list has not always matched the latest announcements.
If you are a veteran thinking about driving
- Pull your military driving records first. The waiver turns on proof of recent, regular operation of a heavy vehicle in a job that required it. Your unit or branch records are the evidence the state will want.
- Call the state licensing office, not a school. Ask three things: does the state accept the skills test waiver, does it run Even Exchange, and how long after separation it will accept your experience.
- Check your GI Bill eligibility before paying tuition. Nearly 400 veterans have used education benefits for trucking so far. The VA education benefits site explains which training programs qualify.
- Ask any recruiter whether they are one of the pledging carriers. If they are, ask how many veterans they plan to hire this year and in which division. A specific answer beats a press-release number.
- Compare the offer, not the program. A veteran-friendly fleet still has to pay competitively. Look at cents per mile or weekly guarantee, typical miles, home time and the truck you would drive.
Why carriers are interested
The timing is not an accident. Carriers are paying more to hire experienced drivers this year, and licensing changes have pulled some drivers out of the pool. Veterans who drove heavy equipment in service are one of the few groups that can reach a CDL quickly and arrive with a track record of following procedures. Jim Mullen, president of the Truckload Carriers Association, said at the event that veterans bring discipline and teamwork to the job, according to CDLLife.
Frequently asked questions
Which 12 carriers made the hiring pledge?The coverage we reviewed from CDLLife and Truck News did not name them. DOT said the pledges were made in partnership with the Department of Labor.
Is the $3.5 million new?No. Truck News described it as previously announced FMCSA funding for driver training providers in 21 states. DOT's headline mentions more training grants, but details were not public when we published.
Do veterans skip the CDL tests?Under the skills test waiver, a state can waive the driving portion but not the knowledge tests. Under Even Exchange, available only in participating states, a qualifying military CMV license can be swapped for a CDL without testing.
How long after leaving the military can I use the waiver?The regulation says one year. FMCSA temporarily extended that to two years in July, according to trade press, but reports differ on how long the extension lasts. Confirm with your state.
Can I use the GI Bill to pay for CDL school?Often yes, if the school is an approved program. Nearly 400 veterans have done so for trucking since July, DOT said. Check the school's approval status with the VA before you enroll.