DOT Tightens CDL Rules for Noncitizens

The U.S. Department of Transportation has declared a national emergency over how states issue commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to noncitizens, imposing sweeping new requirements that could reshape trucking industry hiring.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Sept. 26 that a federal audit uncovered widespread failures in verifying immigration status, with licenses granted to ineligible drivers across multiple states. The audit followed three fatal crashes this year in Florida, Texas, and Alabama involving immigrant truckers who officials say never should have been licensed.

Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new rule, states must immediately halt issuance of non-domiciled CDLs until they adopt stricter procedures. Only drivers with H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas will now qualify, and all applications must be verified through Homeland Security’s database. Online and mail-in renewals are banned, and states must downgrade licenses if drivers lose eligibility.

California faces the steepest penalties after auditors found 25% of its licenses noncompliant. The state has 30 days to fix violations or risk losing $160 million in federal highway funds. Other states flagged include Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington.

Duffy called the failures “a direct threat to public safety,” while the American Trucking Associations praised the crackdown as “necessary to restore trust and protect the motoring public.” Source: https://www.ttnews.com