Florida HSMV Form 71054 – Military Skills Test Waiver

Florida HSMV Form 71054 – Military Skills Test Waiver – Florida HSMV Form 71054, officially titled “Certification for Waiver of CDL Skills Test for Military Personnel,” allows eligible active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, and honorably discharged veterans to obtain a Florida Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) without taking the three-part CDL skills (road) test. The form is issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) under Florida Statute § 322.57 and federal regulation 49 CFR § 383.77.

This program recognizes safe, documented military commercial motor vehicle (CMV) experience and helps qualified military drivers transition into civilian trucking careers more quickly.

What Is Florida HSMV Form 71054?

Form HSMV 71054 is the official certification document used in Florida to request a waiver of the CDL skills test. When properly completed and approved, applicants only need to pass the required CDL knowledge (written) tests for the class and endorsements they seek. The skills exams are reciprocated based on verified military experience.

The current version of the form is HSMV 71054 (Rev. 03/24). It must be completed by both the applicant and a commanding officer (or designee) and submitted with supporting military identification.

Download the official form here: Florida HSMV Form 71054 PDF

Who Is Eligible for the Military Skills Test Waiver in Florida?

Eligibility follows both Florida rules and federal standards under 49 CFR § 383.77. You may qualify if you meet all of the following:

  • You are an active-duty service member, member of the military reserves, U.S. Coast Guard or its reserves, Florida National Guard, or Florida Air National Guard, or an honorably discharged veteran.
  • You are currently serving or (under the form language) were honorably discharged within one year of application. Note: A temporary federal FMCSA waiver effective July 30, 2026, encourages states to extend the post-separation window to two years for the Military Skills Test Waiver program.
  • You were regularly employed (or were within the last year) in a military position requiring operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
  • For at least two years immediately preceding separation (or application while still serving), you operated a vehicle representative of the CMV class you seek (Class A combination vehicles, Class B straight trucks 26,001 lbs GVWR or more, or passenger vehicles designed for 16 or more persons including the driver).
  • You meet the safe-driving-record certifications listed on the form (no disqualifying convictions, limited serious traffic violations, no fault crashes involving traffic-control violations, etc.).

Experience driving military vehicles equivalent to civilian CDL-required vehicles (large trucks over 26,000 lbs GVWR or combinations with trailers over 10,000 lbs GVWR) is key. Passenger and school-bus experience may also qualify for corresponding endorsements in some cases, though certain endorsement skills tests may still apply.

Key Certification Requirements on Form 71054

The applicant must initial each applicable certification on the form, including statements that:

  • You are or were regularly employed within the last year in a military CMV position.
  • You operated a representative CMV for at least two years immediately preceding separation.
  • You received training equivalent to an MOS such as Army 88M Motor Transport Operator or similar specialty, and training compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration standards.
  • You have not held more than one license in addition to a military license, had no license suspensions/revocations/cancellations, and meet the clean-record standards regarding disqualifying offenses, serious traffic violations, and at-fault crashes under 49 CFR § 383.51.

The commanding officer (or designated transportation/command representative) must complete the Employer Certification section. This section documents the specific vehicle classifications the applicant is qualified to operate (Class A combinations, Class B straight trucks, passenger vehicles, air brakes, manual transmission, school bus, etc.) and certifies at least two years of representative experience.

How to Apply for the Florida Military CDL Skills Test Waiver?

  1. Download and complete Form 71054 — Get the official PDF from the FLHSMV website or pick one up at a tax collector or driver license service center. Complete the applicant section and have your commanding officer complete and sign the certification section.
  2. Gather required documents — Bring your current driver license, U.S. Armed Forces ID card (active duty, reservist, or Guard), or DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), and the completed Form 71054.
  3. Study for and pass the knowledge tests — You must still pass the general knowledge test and any endorsement knowledge tests for the CDL class and endorsements you want. The Florida CDL Handbook is available online and at driver license offices.
  4. Visit a Florida tax collector office or driver license service center — Submit the form and documents while still serving or within the applicable post-separation window. If you pass the knowledge tests and your Form 71054 is accepted, the CDL can often be issued the same day.

Find local offices at the official FLHSMV locator: https://www.flhsmv.gov/offices/.

Recent Federal Updates Affecting Military CDL Waivers (2026)

In July 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a temporary waiver (effective July 30, 2026) under the “Freedom Haulers” initiative that:

  • Extends the eligible application window after separation from one year to two years for the Military Skills Test Waiver and related programs (states are strongly encouraged to adopt it).
  • Added Florida (along with several other states) as committed to the Even Exchange Program, which can waive both knowledge and skills tests for applicants who held specific military occupational specialties (such as Army 88M, certain Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy ratings).

Always verify the current status with your local Florida tax collector or FLHSMV office, because state implementation of federal waivers can vary, and the temporary federal waiver has an expiration date.

Official federal resources:

Important Notes and Limitations

  • The skills test waiver does not automatically waive knowledge tests (unless you also qualify under a participating state’s Even Exchange rules for specific MOS codes).
  • You must still meet medical certification (DOT physical), vision, and other standard CDL requirements.
  • Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements are generally not applicable to applicants who qualify under 49 CFR § 383.77.
  • School bus and certain passenger endorsement skills tests may have additional restrictions.
  • Florida Administrative Code Rule 15A-7.018 outlines state-level military qualification rules that reference the federal standard and Form 71054.

Where to Get Help and Official Sources?

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always rely on primary government sources:

Contact FLHSMV customer service at (850) 617-2000 or visit your nearest tax collector/driver license office for personalized guidance. Requirements and time windows can change with federal waivers and state implementation, so confirm details before applying.

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