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CVTA Supports the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023

Apr 27, 2023

The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) is proud to support the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023.

This week, Representatives Chuck Edwards (R-NC), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Eli Crane (R-AZ), and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced H.R. 2830, the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023.

Companion legislation in the Senate, titled S. 656, was introduced by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) in March.

This legislation will reduce the barriers veterans face when accessing truck driver training with their GI Bill benefits.

The bill allows truck driver training schools that open new branch locations to provide training to veterans using GI Bill benefits without the two-year wait required under current law.

“This commonsense legislation helps reduce the barriers that veterans face in getting high-quality training for good paying truck driving careers,” said Commercial Vehicle Training Association Chairman Jerome Redmond. “Because of their extensive training, exceptional professionalism, and mission-focused approach, veterans are ideal candidates to join the trucking workforce. The relief provided under this bipartisan proposal will give veterans additional choices when seeking out professional truck driving careers.”

CVTA is proud to join other industry stakeholders in supporting this proposal, including the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

CVTA thanks the sponsors for introducing this important proposal and urges Congress to quickly pass this bill into law.

 

The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) is the largest association representing commercial truck driver training programs in the United States. CVTA represents 395 training locations in 46 states. Collectively, CVTA members train 100,000 drivers annually.

CVTA advocates for policies that enhance safety on our nation’s highways and reduce barriers to accessing high-quality training and becoming a commercial motor vehicle operator.

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Kyle Hayes

Kyle Hayes is the Director of Government Relations at CVTA. In this role, he leads the implementation of the Association’s legislative and regulatory strategy. He is also the primary point of contact between CVTA Members and federal agencies, Congress, and state governments.

Hayes most recently led research projects that supported federal and state advocacy on healthcare and economic issues at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nationally recognized research and policy institute based in Washington D.C. He received a master’s degree in public policy from American University in 2015 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012.

Andrew Poliakoff

Andy Poliakoff is the Executive Director for CVTA. In this role, he promotes the mission of the membership organization and implements goals set by the Board of Directors. This includes forming partnerships with external stakeholders, providing guidance and direction to the CVTA staff team, and engaging with state and federal government agencies to advance CVTA’s mission of safety and career opportunities in the truck driver training industry.

In 2021 and 2022, Andy acted as federal affairs lead for Electrify America, interacting at high levels within Congress, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, and the White House. In that capacity, he played a pivotal role in the optimization of large-scale infrastructure funding at the Federal Highway Administration as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

From 2019 to 2021 Andy served as Director of Gov't Affairs for CVTA and formed a strong bond with members, engaging on advocacy related to Entry-Level Driver Training, Skills Testing Delays, and Workforce funding. During the pandemic, Andy fought at the state and federal level to treat CDL training and testing as the essential services they are. He is personally invested in the important mission of CVTA's members to deliver safe training and to transform people's lives through truck driving careers.

Andy holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University.

Cindy Atwood

Cindy Atwood is the Vice President at CVTA. An experienced association professional, Cindy handles all activities related to membership retention, financial accounting and committee engagement. Cindy artfully produces CVTA’s off-site biannual conferences, Hill Day operations and Board meetings, ensuring that the general membership and leadership’s necessities and wishes are met with the highest response.

An essential fixture in the truck driver training association space, Cindy manages CVTA’s Instructor Certification Program and provides critical counsel to new entrants into the truck driver training industry.

Kyle Hayes

Kyle Hayes is the Director of Government Relations at CVTA. In this role, he leads the implementation of the Association’s legislative and regulatory strategy. He is also the primary point of contact between CVTA Members and federal agencies, Congress, and state governments.

Hayes most recently led research projects that supported federal and state advocacy on healthcare and economic issues at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nationally recognized research and policy institute based in Washington D.C. He received a master’s degree in public policy from American University in 2015 and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012.