For those who drove a truck in the military, getting a civilian Commercial Driver’s License could become much easier. Bills to streamline the process of getting a CDL have made it through the Michigan House and Senate and await the governor’s signature to become law.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has endorsed the bills, saying, “Those who serve in our armed forces undergo extensive training to fulfill their duties, and often receive certifications specific to their services, including commercial driver’s licenses.”
Benson said she looks forward to implementing the necessary changes at the department “to ensure military veterans who have successfully earned the equivalent of a CDL do not have to repeat the process.”
According to the Senate analysis of the legislation, the change will cost the state nothing but will remove the driving test requirement for those who have the federal endorsements from their military service.
Disruptions to the supply chain have often been blamed on a shortage of truckers. Over-the-road trucking moves about 70% of the nation’s freight. The American Trucking Association has estimated that there is a shortage of 80,000 truckers nationwide.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
