New Commercial License Rules Announced

The Transportation Department has updated its eligibility criteria for non-dominant commercial learner permits (CLP) and commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). This change comes during an ongoing audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Under the revised guidelines, non-citizens will face tougher requirements to obtain non-dominant CDLs, including the necessity of having employment-based visas. Additionally, a new “forced federal immigration status check” will be implemented using a specific system.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared these developments on Friday, emphasizing that the findings from the department’s investigation into licensing practices “should get in the way and anger all Americans.”

Duffy noted, “Licenses allowing unsafe foreign drivers to operate 80,000-pound trucks pose a direct threat to families on the road. This initiative will stop dangerous foreign drivers from renewing their licenses. The state holds responsibility for invalidating any incorrectly issued licenses.”

The FMCSA’s audit revealed violations across several states, identifying California as having the most severe issues. There were claims that ineligible drivers had been issued CDLs, contributing to safety risks on the roads. Weak monitoring and insufficient training were cited as factors behind these lapses.

Duffy also criticized California’s performance in ensuring public safety, stating, “California’s reckless neglect is frankly disgusting. They need to act swiftly, or addressing this issue might mean losing millions in federal funds.”

The department’s scrutiny followed a tragic incident involving an illegal immigrant truck driver in Florida, who, after obtaining a limited CDL from California in 2024, caused a deadly accident. The driver, Haljinder Singh, faces multiple counts of vehicular homicide.

California has a 30-day mandate to comply with the new rules; otherwise, it risks losing federal funding.

Duffy urged all state governors to promptly review their non-dominant CDL issuance processes, stressing, “You don’t want more blood on your hands from traffic deaths.”

As of now, it remains unclear how California’s government will respond to these changes.