The American Trucking Assns. testified before the House Veteran’s Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity to support legislation that would make commercial truck driving schools eligible for accelerated payments under the Montgomery G.I. bill.

“Enacting this legislation could allow a significant number of qualified veterans to enter the demand-driven, high-wage earning labor pool of commercial truck drivers,” said Ray Kuntz, ATA vice chairman. “By applying the accelerated payment program to truck driver training schools, sixty percent of a veteran’s tuition may be paid in advance toward truck driver school training tuition.”

The measure would contribute toward alleviating the driver shortage issue that has been plaguing the trucking industry, Kuntz added.

“In two to three months, upon completion of truck driver training and by successfully passing commercial drivers’ license test, a veteran can be gainfully employed as a long-haul driver, making a highly-competitive entry-level salary,” Kuntz said.