Rep. Brian Mast backs a veterans trucking bill after the federal government shut down 110 commercial driver license schools for English proficiency violations. Mast introduced the Freedom Haulers Act on August 13 to permanently secure fast-track pathways for military veterans to earn CDLs and transition into the trucking industry.
The bill would double the Military Skills Test Waiver window from 12 months to 24 months after service, allowing veterans with heavy vehicle military experience to transfer their skills without taking redundant road tests. More than 40,000 veterans have already used this waiver. It would also make the Even Exchange Program permanent, allowing qualified veterans to bypass CDL knowledge exams and receive licenses faster; thirty-four states, including Florida, participate in the program.
The legislation arrives as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on August 31 an emergency shutdown of 110 CDL training schools tied to more than 5,000 English proficiency violations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration removed those schools from the federal Training Provider Registry, and the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice launched a broader probe targeting additional providers for fraud and safety violations.
The crackdown intensified following a 2025 crash on Florida’s Turnpike in which a truck driver identified as an undocumented immigrant killed three people. That incident, which occurred near Mast’s home district, prompted the congressman to focus on replacing what he described as unqualified drivers with trained veterans. In his Fox News opinion piece, Mast stated that veterans “have already proven they have the discipline, the training, and the grit to handle the world’s most demanding jobs in the world’s most dangerous places.”
The administration unveiled the Freedom Haulers initiative last month at the White House, with President Trump, Duffy, VA Secretary Doug Collins, and Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling present. Under the Trump administration, trucker earnings have surged 7.42 percent and traffic fatalities are at a historic low, according to Mast’s office. The bill codifies the initiative into federal law, ensuring the veteran pathways remain permanent regardless of future executive changes.
The Even Exchange Program, now operational in 34 states, allows military-trained operators in specific occupational specialties—such as Army Motor Transport Operators, Air Force Vehicle Operators, and Marine Corps Motor Vehicle Operators—to bypass knowledge tests if they certify recent heavy vehicle experience. Mast’s legislation extends the eligibility window to 24 months after separation, giving veterans more time to apply after leaving service.
Sources
- Rep. Brian Mast’s Office — introduced Freedom Haulers Act August 13, 2026; bill details on Military Skills Test Waiver and Even Exchange Program; veteran usage statistics
- U.S. Department of Transportation — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s August 31 announcement of 110 CDL school shutdown and 5,000 English proficiency violations
- NBC Miami — federal crackdown details, 2025 Florida Turnpike crash background, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice involvement
- Fox News — Mast’s opinion piece on veterans in trucking and road safety concerns; administration earnings and fatality statistics
