The Show-Me State is showing how the federal government could make it easier for vets to become truckers.

The Driver's License Bureau of the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) has applied for two limited exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s CDL regulations to help smooth the path for discharged military personnel to civilian careers as truck drivers.

In its first exemption request, posted by FMCSA on April 11, Missouri DOR proposes that it be allowed to extend the 90-day waiver, afforded to all States, of the CDL skills test for applicants regularly employed or previously employed within the last 90 days in a military position requiring operation of a commercial motor vehicle to one year following the driver's separation from military service.

According to FMCSA, Missouri DOR “believes the 90-day timeframe is too short to take advantage of the waiver for many of the qualified discharged veterans reentering and settling into civilian life.”

The agency is requesting public comment on whether this exemption, if granted, should cover all State Driver's Licensing Agencies. Comments are due on May 11 and should be filed under Docket ID No. FMCSA-2016-0118.

Missouri DOR’s second exemption request, posted by FMCSA on April 20, is from the knowledge test requirement for qualified veterans who participated in dedicated training in approved military programs.

Per FMCSA, Missouri DOR states that its “goal is to assist qualified veterans in obtaining employment when returning to the civilian workforce” and granting this exemption will assist veterans who have already been through extensive military training.

As with the first exemption request, the agency is requesting public comment on whether the knowledge test exemption, if granted, should cover all State Driver's Licensing Agencies. Comments are due on May 20 and should be filed under Docket ID No. FMCSA-2016-0130. 

Related: FMCSA Seeks to Ease the Way for Vets to Become Truckers