DOT Closes Loophole for Unqualified Truck Drivers

The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on Wednesday that it has addressed a significant loophole that permitted unqualified drivers, including undocumented immigrants, to operate commercial trucks. This decision comes after several deadly incidents involving non-resident drivers last year.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy stated, “For too long, dangerous foreign drivers have exploited our truck licensing system, causing chaos on our roads. This safety loophole ends today.” He emphasized that unqualified foreign drivers will no longer be able to secure a license for operating large commercial vehicles.

Officials highlighted that foreigners possessing only work permits will be barred from obtaining commercial trucking licenses. This is because Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) do not detail a driver’s history of traffic violations, accidents, or license suspensions from their home countries.

This reform formalizes the policy into federal regulations and follows Duffy’s emergency measures enacted last September, which halted the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to truckers with unverified driving records.

In light of a rise in fatal accidents tied to non-domiciled drivers during the summer, federal regulators have intensified enforcement of trucker licensing protocols. According to the DOT, at least 30 individuals lost their lives in 17 accidents caused by non-domiciled drivers in 2025. They also reported that over 30 states had issued commercial driver’s licenses to those deemed unqualified.

The DOT clarified that, unlike U.S. drivers screened through national databases, states cannot access the driving records of foreigners and undocumented immigrants. With new regulations, state driver’s licensing agencies (SDLAs) will be prohibited from granting CDLs to foreign drivers without confirming their driving histories.

The final rule is anticipated to go into effect around March 15. Duffy referred to this reform as part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to enhance transportation safety, including implementing English language requirements for drivers. He reiterated, “We are prioritizing the safety of the driving public and will confront this crisis on our roads.”