By Frank Giles
One of the critical elements in the specialty crop supply chain is transportation. Getting produce from the fields to the packinghouse and then to consumers is an important part of the process.
Over the past couple of years, there has been increased scrutiny of trucking and those who hold commercial driver licenses (CDLs). This has been driven in large part by several high-profile accidents involving undocumented immigrants with a questionable grasp of traffic rules and the English language. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) linked non-domiciled drivers to at least 17 fatal crashes and 30 deaths in 2025. In response, the DOT has taken several actions.
DOT Actions
In September 2025, the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an emergency interim final rule (later finalized in February 2026 and effective around March 2026) that severely restricts who can obtain or renew non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and CDLs. Eligibility is limited mainly to holders of specific employment-based nonimmigrant visas (H-2A, H-2B and E-2) who undergo enhanced consular and interagency vetting.
The DOT also reinstated and strictly enforced longstanding federal requirements that commercial drivers must be able to speak and understand English sufficiently to communicate with officials, read road signs and respond to emergencies. Drivers failing roadside English language proficiency tests are placed out of service. In the past year and a half, this increased scrutiny has resulted in more than 28,000 drivers being taken off the road. Between all the recent exclusions and actions, it is estimated that about 60,000 (statistics vary) truck drivers have been impacted.
Freedom Haulers
In order to help fill that void, the DOT announced the Freedom Haulers initiative this summer. Led by DOT, the campaign also includes contributions from the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Department of War and the Department of Labor.
The program aims to attract more of America’s veterans into careers in trucking. It provides training and helps place these drivers into well-paying jobs.
“Our new Freedom Haulers campaign will help build on these successes and get the word out that there’s never been a better time for America’s former service members to get behind the wheel of a big rig,” noted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy when announcing the program in July. “Trucking requires the precision, independence and discipline that they forged in the military — there’s no one better to tackle the challenge. By answering the call, veterans can leverage their GI Bill benefits and take on a new, essential mission: Keep America moving.”
How It Works
Veterans interested in the program can visit FreedomHaulers.dot.gov to learn more about eligibility requirements and signing up for the program. The program allows qualified veterans/service members with at least two years of safe experience operating heavy military vehicles to skip the CDL skills/road test.
Requirements still include a safe driving record, medical qualification and all other applicable federal/state rules. Processes can vary by state. The campaign mainly streamlines and publicizes these existing options rather than creating an entirely new application portal.
Several major trucking companies have offered support for the program, and some have made commitments to hire veteran drivers. Check the Industry Partners section on the Freedom Haulers website for more information.