Texas Abruptly Renders Certain Truck Driver Licenses Useless for Non-Citizens | Carscoops

      New federal regulations have put a stop to CDL renewals for non-citizen drivers in Texas, impacting thousands of truckers.

      Texas has ceased the issuance of CDLs and CLPs for DACA recipients, refugees, and asylees.

      Approximately 3 percent of the CDLs issued in Texas are classified as non-domicile under federal guidelines.

      Trucking organizations support the suspension, citing safety concerns following recent fatal accidents.

      Truck drivers across the country are undergoing increased scrutiny. The Texas Department of Public Safety is responding to an emergency rule change from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This change means that certain immigrant groups, including refugees, asylees, and DACA recipients, may see their driving plans paused or terminated entirely.

      Beginning September 29, the DPS stopped issuing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and commercial learner permits for those affected. This suspension includes new applications, renewals, and reissues for non-domicile CDLs, effectively preventing non-citizens with legal status in the U.S. from obtaining or retaining these licenses. Applications already in processing are also being canceled.

      Safety Concerns Prompt the Change

      Federal authorities have stated that this change resulted from a nationwide audit and a “recent series of horrific fatal crashes caused by non-domiciled drivers.” The FMCSA announced that in the future, non-citizens will only qualify if they adhere to stricter criteria. Although the number of impacted drivers is relatively small, the consequences are significant.

      State data reveal that Texas issued 220,430 CDLs last year, with approximately 6,265 (around 3 percent) designated as non-domiciled. The Texas Tribune cites figures from the American Immigration Council indicating that refugees constitute 1.2 percent of the truck drivers in the state, while DACA-eligible drivers represent 1.1 percent.

      Increased Oversight in Texas

      This recent suspension follows new initiatives implemented by Governor Greg Abbott earlier in September. He instructed the DPS to conduct English language proficiency assessments for truck drivers, positioning the decision as a matter of safety. “Every commercial driver license operator on Texas roadways must be able to communicate clearly in English to ensure compliance with traffic laws, follow safety instructions, and avoid accidents.”

      Currently, the suspension leaves thousands of legal non-citizen drivers in Texas, including those already employed in trucking, in a state of uncertainty. The DPS has stated that it will provide further updates as it collaborates with the FMCSA to carry out the new federal regulations. Until then, drivers and companies must consider the implications of these changes on the trucking industry within the state.