New Federal Rule Tightens CDL Requirements for Noncitizens
A new federal rule has come into effect, significantly impacting around 200,000 current non-domiciled CDL holders and 20,000 CPL holders in the United States. The rule, passed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), aims to enhance national security and public safety by tightening requirements for noncitizens to obtain and renew commercial driver's licenses (CDLs).
The emergency rule, which came into effect on Monday, limits the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs and commercial learner's permits (CLPs), including their renewals. To comply with the new regulations, truck drivers who are not U.S. citizens must now hold specific visas (H-2A, H-2B, and E-2) and have their immigration status verified through the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements System. Licenses will be valid for a maximum of one year or until the visa expiration date, whichever comes first.
The new rule is expected to reduce the number of eligible non-domiciled drivers to around 6,000 annually. California has been given 30 days to comply with the new rules or risk losing federal highway funds. However, logistics businesses are expressing concerns that the new procedures could exacerbate the ongoing driver shortage issue.
The FMCSA has implemented these changes in response to concerns about compliance failures and fatal crashes. The rule aims to strengthen the vetting process for noncitizen truck drivers, but its impact on the industry's driver shortage remains to be seen.
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