Freedom Haulers Act
Sponsored By: Representative Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]
Introduced
Summary
Speeds civilian commercial driving entry for military service members. This bill would extend the military skills-test waiver from 12 to 24 months after separation and set up an "Even Exchange" program that lets states waive CDL knowledge, driving, and certain endorsement tests for qualified military commercial vehicle operators under defined conditions.
Show full summary
- Service members and veterans: Makes it easier for separating service members to move into civilian commercial driving by extending the post-separation waiver to 24 months and permitting waivers of knowledge, driving, and specified endorsement tests when military qualifications and program conditions are met.
- State licensing agencies: Requires States to accept applications and adopt procedures consistent with other commercial driver licensing processes and to participate under standards set by the Secretary of Transportation.
- Employers and public safety: Enables employers to hire military-trained drivers sooner because some tests can be waived for covered military classifications with a clean driving record, while medical certifications, background checks, and other safety requirements not explicitly waived remain in place.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster CDL for military drivers
If enacted, the bill would require the FMCSA to issue rules within 180 days to extend the military CDL skills-test waiver from 12 months to 24 months after separation. The bill would also require each State to run an "even exchange" program to speed CLP and CDL issuance for qualifying current and former service members. States would waive certain CLP/CDL knowledge tests, driving tests, and some endorsement tests when applicants show specified military job codes, evidence of operating representative commercial vehicles within the 24 months before application, and a clean driving record. The driving-test waiver would require a valid civilian driver's license at application and operation of representative commercial vehicles for at least the 2 years immediately before separation. Hazardous materials endorsements would still need federal background checks, and medical certification and other federal CDL qualifications would not be waived.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]
FL • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
GA • R
Sponsored 8/13/2026
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
SC • R
Sponsored 8/27/2026
Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]
PA • R
Sponsored 8/27/2026
Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2]
WV • R
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]
NC • R
Sponsored 9/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov