The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Secretary Sean P. Duffy said his department had issued the final rule negating non-domiciled drivers from obtaining a commercial drivers’ license.
The final rule will stop unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licenses to drive commercial trucks and buses. Duffy said the unqualified drivers pose a significant safety threat to American roads. At least 17 fatal crashes and 30 deaths in 2025 were caused by non-domiciled drivers, he said.
“For far too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing systems – wreaking havoc on our roadways. This safety loophole ends today,” Duffy. “Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig. Under President Trump’s leadership, 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.”
According to the US DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s “2024 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics” there were 5,471 fatal crashes involving at least one truck or bus on American roadways in 2022.
Duffy said the reforms to CDLs will address safety concerns by preventing foreign drivers who have not been subject to consular and interagency screening from receiving a CDL. While U.S. drivers are subject to national database checks for past violations—such as DUIs, reckless driving, or crash involvement—states lack the ability to access the driving records of foreigners and illegal immigrants. This loophole, Duffy said, has allowed individuals with dangerous driving histories to obtain their CDL by presenting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which does not screen for transportation safety.
“A critical safety gap allowed unqualified drivers with unknown driving histories to get behind the wheel of commercial vehicles,” FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs said. “We are closing that gap today to ensure that only qualified, vetted drivers are operating on our nation’s roadways. If we cannot verify your safe driving history, you cannot hold a CDL in this country.”