How to Verify Participants

The Under 21 Military Driver Program has launched, and participating drivers are authorized to operate in interstate commerce. FMCSA maintains a list of participating motor carriers and covered drivers (program participants who are under 21) in its Query Central system.

• Law enforcement and roadside inspectors will verify a motor carrier or driver’s participation in the program by querying the carrier’s USDOT number or a driver’s commercial driver’s license in the Query Central system. A driver entered into the program may only drive for the approved carrier to which he/she is assigned.
• Information about the exemption appears in the Query Central system under the company’s USDOT number.
• The information in the Query Central system is entered in real time, but it may take a few hours for updates to populate. If an inspector is unable to verify motor carrier or driver information, reach out to the FMCSA Commercial Driver’s License Division by email: cdlcompliance@dot.gov.
• In addition to Query Central system verification, FMCSA provides each motor carrier and driver with an exemption letter. Carriers and drivers are required to keep the exemption letters in the truck cab or on their persons. A driver or carrier must present the exemption letter if requested by a law enforcement officer or inspector.
• If a driver under the age of 21 is operating in interstate commerce and is not part of the program, the inspector or officer should ensure the driver (or the motor carrier employing the driver) is not operating under another exemption.
• If the driver or carrier is operating in interstate commerce and is not exempted, the inspector or officer should follow the procedures established in that state (i.e., cite the driver and/or place the driver out of service).