by David Lindfield
Approximately 200,000 foreign truck drivers will no longer be able to renew their commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) following a new Department of Transportation rule that took effect this week.
It marks a significant shift in federal transportation policy under President Donald Trump.
The rule, issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is aimed at tightening eligibility standards for non-domiciled CDLs and preventing what officials described as unqualified foreign drivers from operating large commercial vehicles on U.S. roads.
New Rule Targets “Non-Domiciled” CDL Loopholes
The final rule, titled “Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses,” was announced in February.
It came after a nationwide audit uncovered “systemic non-compliance” in the issuance of CDLs to foreign nationals by several states.
Under the new regulation, eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs is limited to foreign nationals holding H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas.
The rule also eliminates Employment Authorization Documents as valid proof of eligibility and requires state agencies to verify immigration status through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system.