Senate Bill 43, signed in to law June 24th, 2015, improves job opportunities for veterans by extending the time period allowed between a retired or discharged veteran applicant being regularly employed in a qualified position and the date of application for the CDL from 90 days to one year.
The original CDL skills test waiver was put into NC law in 2009, allowing an applicant to waive the skills test if the applicant is a member of the armed forces, is regularly employed in a job requiring operation of a commercial motor vehicle, has two years of relevant experience, and has completed a military skills test.
In 2013, after a change in the federal law, a corresponding change was made to NC law to expand the waiver to include retired or discharged members of the armed forces, as long as the applicant meets requirements and applies for a CDL within 90 days of the date of discharge.
The bill also provides additional flexibility for applicants by allowing them to certify that they are eligible for the waiver by providing specified documentation.
“Today is a great day for veterans and military families in North Carolina,” Governor McCrory said in a press release.