Governor Hochul Announces New York to Sign on to Even Exchange Program to Help Active-Duty Military and Veterans Get Commercial Driver Licenses

As New York honors active and retired members of our military services, Governor Hochul today announced New York's participation in the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Even Exchange" program to provide opportunities for service members to put their military training to work as commercial drivers. Under the program, qualified applicants who have been trained and educated to operate heavy equipment and machinery in the military will be able to use that experience to demonstrate the necessary knowledge to qualify for a Commercial Driver License (CDL), bypassing the need for a DMV written permit test.

"Keeping our economy growing and moving means we need qualified people to move goods across New York and the country, and those who have served proudly in the military are uniquely suited to do that," Governor Hochul said. "This is not only a chance to give back to those who have protected us, but to also continue to make life affordable for New York families by ensuring we have the drivers necessary to give them more and better access to goods and services they use each day."

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt said, "Governor Hochul continues to lead the way in creating opportunities for New York veterans and DMV is pleased to be able to offer this program to help members of the military smoothly transition into civilian life and begin a new career to provide for themselves and their families. It is a terrific opportunity to leverage the valuable skills they have already developed to take on good, well-paying jobs driving buses and trucks to move people and products. We applaud Governor Hochul's leadership in helping us bring this important program to New York State and look forward to seeing it be successful."

New York State Department of Veterans' Services Commissioner Dr. Viviana M. DeCohen said, "Our Service Members develop highly specialized skills, sound judgment, and an exceptional work ethic while serving our Nation, and those qualifications should open doors to meaningful civilian employment. I applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the tremendous value of military experience and taking practical steps to help Veterans and transitioning Service Members put their training to work in New York's economy. By participating in the Even Exchange program, New York State is helping create a more direct pathway from military service to civilian careers, reducing unnecessary obstacles and ensuring that the skills our Veterans have already earned are recognized, respected, and put to good use."

This program will work in conjunction with the current Military Skills Test Waiver Program, which allows military personnel who are currently licensed or who have been employed operating the military equivalent of a commercial vehicle within the last two years to waive the road/skills test. Nationwide, more than 40,000 people have taken advantage of this opportunity since the program's inception, including more than 3,100 New Yorkers.

New Yorkers can learn more about commercial driver licensing on the DMV website.