Bill proposes a $7,500 tax credit for CDL-A truck drivers

Lawmakers have issued a proposal that seeks to strengthen the U.S. supply chain by offering tax incentives up to $7,500 to help the trucking industry retain drivers.

The bipartisan “Strengthening Supply Chains through Truck Driver Incentives Act” was reintroduced on March 27, 2025, by Reps. Pat Ryan and Zachary Nunn.

The bill seeks to incentivize truck driving by offering a two-year refundable tax credit of up to $7,500 for truck drivers holding a valid Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) who drive at least 1,900 hours in the year.

If the bill passed, new truck drivers who did not meet the 1,900 hours mark could still receive a portion of the tax credit if they drive less than 1,420 hours in the year, but drove at least an average of 40 hours a week upon starting to drive.

The bill would also create a new refundable two-year tax credit of up to $10,000 for new truck drivers or individuals enrolled in a registered trucking apprenticeship.

The bill is endorsed by the American Trucking Associations, the Trucking Association of New York, New York Farm Bureau Federation, International Foodservice Distributors Association, and the Teamsters.

“Truck drivers keep the American economy moving forward. They work long, hard hours with little support to make sure that people across the country have everything that they need for daily life,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “It’s no wonder that job retention rates in the industry are declining. We have to be encouraging more people to sign up to drive and stay there, which is why providing incentives like this is so important. Keeping more skilled drivers on the road will also help combat supply chain issues, which jack up prices for American consumers. Passing this bill is a no-brainer: better conditions for the workers that drive us forward, more high-paying union jobs, and lower costs for families across the country.” 

“Right now, we’re facing a serious shortage of truck drivers, and it’s putting pressure on Iowa families and our nation’s supply chains,” said Congressman Zachary Nunn. “We are experiencing both a recruitment and a retention problem in the trucking industry. This is a simple fix to help get more drivers behind the wheel – improving our supply chain and bringing down costs for every Iowan.”“Helping more qualified drivers get behind the wheel is essential to ensuring our industry can continue to deliver the nation’s freight safely and efficiently,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear. “The Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act will grow and retain our essential workforce by making rewarding, good-paying careers in trucking even more attractive while also providing tax relief for new drivers. We commend Reps. Pat Ryan and Zach Nunn for working to reduce barriers to one of the few professions that can provide a middle-class lifestyle without the time and expense of a four-year college degree.”

Similar legislation has been introduced several times in recent years, but so far, the trucker tax credit bills have failed to advance.