MTAC Testimony: Act establishing a program to make preparing for and taking commercial learner permit knowledge test available for incarcerated persons

In another piece of testimony, MTAC president Joe Sculley submitted a response to a bill that would require the Department of Correction to establish a program to make preparation materials for and administration of the commercial driver’s license knowledge test available to certain incarcerated persons.

In the testimony Sculley told members of the Transportation Committee that MTAC “Supports” the bill, and that this piece of legislation “Would provide a path for incarcerated people to obtain their Commercial Learner’s Permit, and ultimately their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), as they are released from prison.”

Sculley went on to explain that “There is a severe shortage of truck drivers, which is estimated to total about 80,000 nationwide. Unfortunately, state-specific numbers do not exist, however, MTAC members tell me all the time that it is a big problem for them. They cannot find qualified drivers to fill open driving jobs.”

He also explained to lawmakers how MTAC members have shown interest in hiring rehabilitated inmates. “MTAC members have expressed sentiments that people ending their term of incarceration and reentering society need to be given a second chance. Furthermore, some members have told me that they have hired formerly incarcerated people.”

The full testimony is available as a PDF here.