Secretary Chao Announces Military Driver Pilot Program

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao visited Omaha recently to announce a new federal pilot jobs program [that] would allow 18- to 20-year-old veterans and reservists with the military equivalent of a commercial driver’s license to drive large trucks across state line.

Chao said the key would be showing that these younger truck drivers with military training are as reliable and safe as their older civilian counterparts.

Chao said the program could start as early as the beginning of next year.

The secretary was asked about the wisdom of pulling so many people into the trucking industry when the possibility of driverless trucks is on the not-too-distant horizon. She said truckers would still be needed, citing public expectations of safety and oversight.

Category: Driver Stuff, General Update, News