The new eligibility and verification requirements are to strengthen CDL screening.
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently issued a final rule revising how states issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to certain non-U.S. drivers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the rule is intended to address gaps in verifying foreign driving histories before licenses are granted. It goes into effect 30 days after being published in the Federal Register.
“Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig,“ said Secretary Sean Duffy. “We are putting the safety of the driving public first. From enforcing English language standards to holding fraudulent carriers accountable, we will continue to attack this crisis on our roads head on.”
Under the new requirements, states must confirm legal immigration status through the federal SAVE system and may no longer accept Employment Authorization Documents (EAD alone as proof of eligibility. Instead, applicants must present specified documentation, including an unexpired foreign passport and Form I-94 records. Eligibility is limited to certain temporary visa categories whose holders undergo federal screening.
The rule follows a nationwide audit of state licensing agencies and prior executive actions focused on roadway safety.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA, led by Administrator Derek Barrs, cited concerns that some states lacked access to complete foreign driving records when issuing non-domiciled CDLs.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Transportation Secretary Duffy as he heads efforts to ensure only eligible drivers are issued CDLs by the states.
- For FMCSA Administrator Barrs as he engages state officials to implement the updated commercial licensing standards.
- For U.S. transportation officials as they update policies to improve the safety of motorists, commercial drivers, and communities.
Sources: Department of Transportation
