Torrissi Sponsors Bill Allowing Military Veterans to Fill Trucking Vacancies

LUMBERTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Michael Torrissi, Jr. (NJ-08) is the lead sponsor of a new proposal to promote more licensed truck drivers while helping military veterans use their acquired skills to professionally excel.

A-3371 would make it easier for qualified veterans to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License by waiving the required knowledge test for a person with military experience piloting similar vehicles. Currently, New Jersey, along with every other state, provides a skills test waiver for those who have at least two years of experience operating heavy military vehicles. By implementing the federal knowledge test waiver, New Jersey would allow a qualified driver to simply exchange their military license for a CDL.

Torrissi says the proposal is in line with what 17 other states have already done to get more qualified drivers behind the wheel, with over 40,000 service members and veterans taking advantage of these waivers across the country.

“Streamlining the CDL process for qualified military drivers just makes sense – not only to motor carriers looking to offer opportunities for veterans, but to military members making their transition to civilian life in a good-paying career,” said Assemblyman Torrissi. “This proposal would allow our military veterans to bypass the mind-numbing wait times at Motor Vehicles, without compromising our federally-recognized safety and training standards for new truck drivers.”

Under the bill, military personnel could use the knowledge test waiver if they are or were employed within the past year in a military position requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle.

“This is an opportunity to serve our veterans and help get our state moving again,” Assemblyman Torrissi concluded. “This proposal ought to be placed on the fast track immediately.”