US Tightens CDL Rules for Immigrants: Everything You Need to Know

US Tightens Commercial Driving License Norms For Non-Americans

The United States has rolled out stricter Commercial Driving License (CDL) rules aimed at non-American citizens, making it significantly harder for immigrants to qualify. The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced these measures following a deadly crash in Florida that put a spotlight on regulatory loopholes. The new rules have sparked heated debates around road safety, immigration, and the future of the trucking industry.

Why Were the Rules Tightened? The Florida Crash That Changed Everything

The controversy began with a tragic accident on Florida’s Turnpike involving an India-born truck driver, Harjinder Singh. Singh attempted an illegal U-turn, leading to a collision with a van that killed three people. Singh and his passenger, however, escaped unhurt.

An audit revealed that Singh should never have received a commercial license because of his immigration status. This incident pushed the Transportation Department to conduct a nationwide investigation, which revealed widespread irregularities in how several states issued CDLs to immigrants.

States Found in Violation

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that six states—California, Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Washington—were found to have improperly issued licenses. Among them, California had the most violations, with one in four licenses reviewed being granted incorrectly.

As a result, California has been given 30 days to audit its system and present a compliance plan. If it fails, it risks losing $160 million in federal funding.

New CDL Rules: Who Qualifies Now?

Under the updated regulations, only immigrants holding specific visas will be eligible for a CDL. These include:

• H-2A Visa – Temporary agricultural workers.

• H-2B Visa – Temporary non-agricultural workers.

• E-2 Visa – Foreign investors or employees making substantial business investments in the US.

States are now required to strictly verify the immigration status of every applicant before granting a CDL. Additionally, licenses will no longer carry long validity; they will now be issued for a maximum of one year or until the applicant’s visa expires.

Currently, around 200,000 immigrants hold CDLs, but with these restrictions, only about 10,000 will remain eligible under the new system. Importantly, the rules are not retroactive, meaning existing licenses will remain valid until their renewal date.

Impact on the US Trucking Industry

The trucking industry is already facing a driver shortage, and noncitizens currently make up around 5% of all commercial drivers. With stricter eligibility norms, companies may see a drop in available labor.

Industry experts believe this could lead to:

• Higher wages for entry-level drivers to attract more American workers.

• Increased recruitment campaigns to fill vacant positions.

• A possible slowdown in freight movement if replacements are not found quickly.

According to Jonathan Marques, founder of the Driving Academy in New Jersey, this policy shift could be a blessing in disguise:

“By removing noncitizen drivers, trucking firms might have to increase pay, making the industry more appealing for American job seekers.”

Immigration, Politics, and the Road Ahead

The decision has not only raised industry concerns but also ignited political debates. States like California have pushed back, claiming they already follow federal laws and that immigrant drivers have lower crash rates than national averages.

At the same time, the federal government insists that uniform and stricter enforcement is necessary to prevent further tragedies like the Florida crash.

The new CDL rules for immigrants mark a turning point in how the United States manages its commercial trucking workforce. By limiting eligibility to only certain visa holders and enforcing stricter verification, the government aims to prioritize road safety. However, this change is likely to reshape the trucking industry, with ripple effects on wages, employment, and supply chain efficiency.

For immigrants aspiring to build a career in trucking, the road just got tougher—but for the US government, the goal is clear: safer highways and stricter compliance.