Manufacturing News
October 11, 2026
October 11, 2026 · Statewide · Story 5 of 5
Indiana Joins Even Exchange Program for Veteran CDL Waivers
Governor Mike Braun announced October 7 that Indiana has joined the federal Even Exchange Program, letting the Indiana BMV waive CDL skills testing for veterans holding qualifying military roles such as Army Motor Transport Operator or Air Force Fueler. Indiana is one of seven states added under the program, bringing the national total to 34, and carrier Werner Enterprises has committed to hiring 1,400 veterans and veteran spouses nationally. This waiver is Indiana's replacement pipeline for capacity the state deliberately pulled off the road.
Governor Mike Braun announced October 7 that Indiana has joined the federal Even Exchange Program, letting the Indiana BMV waive CDL skills testing for veterans holding qualifying military roles such as Army Motor Transport Operator or Air Force Fueler. Indiana is one of seven states added under the program, bringing the national total to 34, and carrier Werner Enterprises has committed to hiring 1,400 veterans and veteran spouses nationally.
This waiver is Indiana's replacement pipeline for capacity the state deliberately pulled off the road. HEA 1200, signed April 1, 2026, revoked nearly 1,800 non-domiciled CDLs earlier this year. The federal two-year lookback window that lets recently separated veterans skip the skills test closes October 29, 2026, just 18 days after Braun's announcement, giving veterans who left service between mid-2024 and mid-2025 a narrow window before that window potentially reverts to one year.
For your morning huddle
- Q
With HEA 1200 already having tightened Indiana's driver pool by revoking non-domiciled CDLs, should we be actively recruiting qualifying veteran separees now, before the federal lookback window narrows again after October 29?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's expanded two-year lookback window, which lets recently separated veterans skip the CDL skills test, closes October 29, 2026. Veterans who left active duty between mid-2024 and mid-2025 have a narrow window to use it before the lookback period potentially reverts to one year.
Briefing note
- Impact
- This waiver is the state's replacement pipeline for capacity it deliberately pulled out of the market: Indiana's HEA 1200, signed April 1, 2026, revoked nearly 1,800 non-domiciled CDLs earlier this year. There's also an urgency most coverage missed: the federal two-year lookback window that lets recently separated veterans skip the skills test expires October 29, 2026, just 18 days after Braun's announcement, giving veterans who left service between mid-2024 and mid-2025 a narrow window to use it before it potentially reverts to one year.
- Watch
- The October 29, 2026 expiration date of the FMCSA's expanded two-year lookback waiver window, and whether it gets extended.
Sources
- Indiana Governor makes it easier for Hoosier veterans to access career opportunities in the trucking industry · casscountyonline.com
From the brief, October 11, 2026
- Nucor's $105 Million Crawfordsville Expansion
- SEL's $25 Million West Lafayette Vertical-Integration Bet
- Indiana's 25.8% Industrial Property Tax Jump Sets Up Higher 2027 Bills
- Central Indiana Flooding Exposes a Business-Interruption Insurance Gap
- Indiana Joins Even Exchange Program for Veteran CDL Waivers
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