Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C – Batavia) is encouraging the heroic returning soldiers of Western New York to take advantage of Governor Cuomo’s recently-enacted “Experience Counts” program. The initiative will remove bureaucratic roadblocks from veterans looking to obtain a Commercial Driver License if they drove similar vehicles while defending our freedom. Hawley, who served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Reserves as well as with the National Guard, is a member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and hopes that this measure will mark the beginning of many positive developments for veterans during the 2012 Legislative Session.

“Our servicemen and women put their lives on the line to defend our freedom, and the least we can do is make their transition back into civilian life as smooth and prosperous as possible,” said Hawley. “I commend the governor for advancing the ‘Experience Counts’ initiative so we can honor our veterans while helping them gain employment, and I offer my full assistance to local veterans looking to take part.”

The waiver is now available for up to 90 days after discharge, or for active duty military and active duty New York National Guard members that currently hold a valid driver license. Applicants must be regularly employed, or have been regularly employed, within the last 90 days in a military position requiring operation of a commercial motor vehicle, and also have operated a vehicle that is similar to a civilian commercial vehicle for at least two years immediately preceding discharge from the military. Applicants must fill out a "CDL Certification for Military Waiver of Skills Test" form (CDL-102), which is available at any DMV office, or online at http://www.dmv.ny.gov/forms/cdl102.pdf. Applicants still must pass a written test and pay the written test fee, but the $40 road test fee also will be waived by completing the certification. For more information, please contact Assemblyman Steve Hawley at 121 North Main Street, Suite 100, Albion, NY 14411, by phone at (585) 589-5780, or by email at hawleys@assembly.state.ny.us.