ODOT Radio News

March 1, 2013

For more information: Shelley M. Snow, ODOT Public Affairs, (503) 881-5362

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1:28

Suggested lead: Veterans applying for commercial driver licenses may have one less thing to worry about.

SALEM - Getting an Oregon commercial driver license may now be a little easier for some veterans. Oregon DMV is joining other states around the country in considering a veteran’s military driving experience when applying for a CDL, and DMV Public Information Officer David House says that experience could mean the applicant can skip the drive test.

House: Military veterans who have driving experience and training in some of the larger, commercial style military vehicles may be eligible to waive the drive test at DMV in Oregon if they’re trying to get a commercial driver license here. :15

Veterans who think they may qualify for the CDL skills test waiver can find eligibility requirements and an application at OregonDMV.com. It’s important to note, applicants will still be required to take the CDL knowledge test.

One of the reasons for the skills test waiver is that it can be difficult for veterans to find a suitable truck for their CDL skills test.

House: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration changed its rules on driver testing in an effort to help ease the transition from the military into civilian employment and Oregon is one of the many states that has adopted that rule change to help that transition along. :18

To learn more about this new program, visit OregonDMV.com. Reporting from Salem, I’m Shelley Snow.

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Extra actuality

House: We’ll be able to tell you if your driving experience in the military and your training there can qualify for the waiver. Not every type of military vehicle driver can get this waiver; it depends on the type of vehicle you drove. :14