Hiring Military Veterans as Truck Drivers: The Complete Guide
Veterans bring discipline, equipment experience, and a safety-first mindset. Plus, you can claim up to $9,600 in tax credits per veteran hired.
200,000+
Veterans Transition Annually
$9,600
Max WOTC Tax Credit
25%
Higher Retention Rate
$500
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O Trucking Editorial Team
Trucking Industry Experts
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
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This article was written by the O Trucking editorial team with 9+ years of combined trucking industry experience. Learn more about us.
O TruckingHiring Military Veterans as Truck Drivers
Why Veterans Make Excellent Truck Drivers
Over 200,000 service members transition out of the military each year. Many already have the core competencies that take civilian drivers years to develop. Here is why veterans consistently outperform in trucking roles.
Discipline & Reliability
Military service instills a level of discipline that is rare in the civilian workforce. Veterans show up on time, follow procedures, and complete assignments without constant supervision. In trucking, where drivers operate independently for days or weeks, this self-discipline translates directly to on-time deliveries, accurate paperwork, and compliance with hours-of-service regulations.
Heavy Equipment Experience
Many veterans have thousands of hours operating vehicles that dwarf commercial trucks. From 5-ton cargo trucks and HEMTTs (Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks) to fuel tankers and tractor-trailers, military vehicle operation builds spatial awareness, backing skills, and comfort with large equipment that accelerates CDL training dramatically.
Safety-First Mindset
In the military, vehicle safety is not a suggestion — it is a command. Pre-trip inspections, proper load securement, and defensive driving are drilled into every service member who operates a vehicle. This training produces drivers with fewer accidents, fewer CSA violations, and lower insurance claims. Carriers with veteran-heavy fleets consistently report better safety metrics.
Adaptability Under Pressure
Military service means operating in challenging environments — extreme weather, unfamiliar terrain, tight deadlines, and high-stress situations. These conditions mirror many trucking scenarios: navigating winter storms, meeting tight delivery windows, dealing with loading dock delays, and handling breakdowns in remote locations. Veterans handle pressure without panic.
Military-to-CDL Programs and Waivers
Several federal and state programs make it faster and cheaper for veterans to obtain their CDL. Understanding these programs helps you recruit veterans who may not realize how quickly they can transition to trucking.
FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver
The FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver allows qualified veterans to waive the CDL road test entirely. Eligible service members must have operated a military vehicle equivalent to a Class A or Class B CMV within the past two years. This eliminates 2–4 weeks of CDL school and saves $3,000–$7,000 in training costs. Veterans still need to pass written knowledge tests and obtain a DOT medical card.
Troops to Trucks (Fastport)
The Troops to Trucks program, run through Fastport in partnership with the U.S. Army, connects transitioning service members with carrier-sponsored CDL training. Participants receive free CDL training while still on active duty during their transition period, with a guaranteed job offer upon completion. Major carriers including Werner, Schneider, and KLLM participate in the program.
GI Bill CDL Training Coverage
The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers CDL training at approved schools, paying tuition up to $26,381 per year plus a monthly housing allowance. Veterans with remaining GI Bill benefits can attend CDL school at zero out-of-pocket cost. For carriers, this means a pipeline of trained drivers who arrive CDL-ready without the carrier needing to fund training. Partner with local CDL schools that accept GI Bill benefits to establish a direct recruitment pipeline.
Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship
The Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program places transitioning service members into 12-week fellowships with participating companies during their final months of service. Trucking companies can host fellows in dispatch, operations, or management roles — and convert them to full-time employees after the fellowship. It is essentially a free, 12-week working interview.
Military Skills That Transfer Directly to Trucking
When screening veteran applicants, look beyond their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) title. Many military skills map directly to trucking competencies, even for veterans who were not motor transport operators.
| Military Skill | Trucking Application | Common MOS/Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Convoy driving | Long-haul OTR driving, route planning | Army 88M, Marine 3531 |
| Hazmat handling | Hazmat endorsement, tanker transport | Army 92F (Fuel), Navy BM |
| Vehicle maintenance | Pre-trip inspections, roadside repairs | Army 91B, Marine 3521 |
| Logistics & supply chain | Load planning, freight management | Army 92A, Air Force 2S0X1 |
| Load securement | Flatbed tarping, chain/strap securement | Army 88H, Marine 0431 |
| Adverse condition driving | Winter driving, off-road, tight spaces | All combat arms branches |
Screening Tip for Hiring Managers
WOTC Tax Credits: Up to $9,600 Per Veteran Hired
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax incentive that rewards employers for hiring veterans and other target groups. For trucking companies, WOTC can substantially offset hiring costs.
| Veteran Category | Max Tax Credit | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran receiving SNAP benefits | $2,400 | SNAP recipient in prior 3 months |
| Disabled veteran | $4,800 | Service-connected disability, hired within 1 year of discharge |
| Unemployed veteran (4+ weeks) | $2,400 | Unemployed at least 4 weeks in prior year |
| Long-term unemployed veteran (6+ months) | $5,600 | Unemployed 6+ months in prior year |
| Disabled + long-term unemployed | $9,600 | Service-connected disability + 6+ months unemployed |
How to Claim WOTC
Where to Find Veteran Drivers
Posting on Indeed and hoping veterans apply is not a strategy. Here are the channels that actually connect you with transitioning service members and veteran job seekers.
Hiring Our Heroes (hiringourheroes.org)
Run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, this is the premier platform for connecting employers with transitioning service members. Their hiring events, corporate fellowships, and online job board reach tens of thousands of veterans annually. Free for employers.
Military.com Job Board
With over 2 million veteran job seekers, Military.com is one of the largest veteran employment platforms. Job postings can target veterans by MOS code, branch of service, and geographic location. Their CDL and trucking category gets high traffic from veterans actively seeking driving positions.
American Legion Career Centers
The American Legion operates 12,000+ posts across the United States, many with career assistance programs. Contact your local post to announce driver openings, sponsor a career fair, or simply post a flyer on their bulletin board. The personal connection through a trusted veterans organization carries more weight than any online job ad.
VA Regional Offices & Vocational Rehabilitation
The VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program helps disabled veterans find suitable employment. Register as a VR&E employer partner to receive referrals of veterans whose skills match your open positions. The VA may also cover training costs for veterans in their program.
Helmets to Hardhats
While primarily focused on construction trades, Helmets to Hardhats connects veterans with careers in the skilled trades — including construction trucking (dump trucks, concrete mixers, heavy haul). If your fleet does construction-related hauling, this is a targeted channel for finding veterans interested in that specific niche.
Onboarding Considerations for Veteran Drivers
Veterans bring exceptional skills, but the transition from military to civilian life is a significant life change. Thoughtful onboarding improves retention and shows veterans that your company values their service.
Transition Support
- Flexible scheduling during first 90 days for family relocation needs
- Clear organizational structure — veterans appreciate knowing the chain of command
- Written SOPs for company procedures (veterans are trained to follow documented processes)
- Direct communication style — skip the corporate jargon, be straightforward
Veteran-Specific Best Practices
- Pair new veteran hires with other veteran drivers as mentors
- Be aware that some veterans may have service-connected conditions — accommodate reasonably
- Acknowledge military holidays (Veterans Day, Memorial Day) even if informally
- Connect veterans with VA resources if needed — know your local VA office contact
Important Note on PTSD Awareness
O Trucking Has Veteran Drivers in Our Network
Our driver placement network includes veterans transitioning from military service who are CDL-ready and looking for carriers that match their lane preferences and home time needs. $500 per placement — and WOTC tax credits can offset that cost entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can military veterans get a CDL without going to truck driving school?
Yes, in many cases. The FMCSA Military Skills Test Waiver allows veterans with qualifying military vehicle experience to waive the CDL skills test (the road test). They still need to pass the written knowledge tests and obtain a medical card. The waiver applies to active duty, reserves, and recently separated service members (within one year of separation). Veterans who drove military vehicles equivalent to a Class A or Class B CMV — including 5-ton trucks, HEMTTs, fuel tankers, and tractor-trailers — typically qualify.
What is the WOTC tax credit for hiring veterans?
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provides federal tax credits of $2,400 to $9,600 per qualified veteran hired. The exact amount depends on the veteran's circumstances: veterans receiving SNAP benefits qualify for up to $2,400, disabled veterans qualify for up to $4,800, and long-term unemployed veterans (6+ months) qualify for up to $5,600. Service-connected disabled veterans who have been unemployed for 6+ months qualify for the maximum $9,600 credit. Employers must file IRS Form 8850 within 28 days of the hire date.
Where is the best place to recruit veteran truck drivers?
The most effective channels for recruiting veteran drivers are Hiring Our Heroes (hiringourheroes.org) which connects employers with transitioning service members, Military.com's job board (2+ million veteran job seekers), American Legion career centers at 12,000+ posts nationwide, VA regional office career fairs, and the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at military installations. Direct partnerships with CDL schools that accept GI Bill benefits are also highly effective because you reach veterans who are actively pursuing a trucking career.
What military jobs translate best to truck driving?
The most directly transferable Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) include Army 88M (Motor Transport Operator), Marine 3531 (Motor Vehicle Operator), Air Force 2T1X1 (Vehicle Operations), and Navy Equipment Operator. However, many other military roles develop transferable skills: logistics specialists understand supply chain management, mechanics can handle basic vehicle maintenance, and any service member who has driven military vehicles in convoy operations has relevant experience. The key skills — discipline, operating heavy equipment, long-haul experience, and performing under pressure — exist across most military branches and specialties.
Do veterans need special onboarding or support when transitioning to trucking?
Veterans transitioning to civilian trucking benefit from structured onboarding that acknowledges their military experience while bridging the gap to commercial operations. Key considerations include: route flexibility during the first 90 days (military families often face relocation and settlement needs), awareness that some veterans may have service-connected conditions requiring accommodation, mentorship pairing with other veteran drivers already in your fleet, and clear communication about civilian chain of command (veterans are used to military structure and appreciate knowing who to contact for what). Carriers with veteran-focused onboarding programs report 25% higher first-year retention among veteran hires compared to standard onboarding.
Hire Veteran Drivers Through O Trucking
Veterans bring discipline, safety, and commitment to your fleet. Our placement service connects carriers with CDL-qualified veteran drivers for $500 per placement — and WOTC credits can make it free.