Trucker License Overhaul: New Bill Mandates Citizenship Proof for CDLs and Ends Foreign Reciprocity

The “Protecting America’s Roads Act” is a major shake-up for the commercial trucking industry, specifically targeting who can get and keep a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). If you’re a trucker, a logistics company, or just someone who relies on goods being moved across state lines, this bill is going to change the rules of the road. Essentially, this legislation tightens the screws on licensing requirements, making it mandatory to prove U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or valid work authorization just to hold a CDL.

The New Paperwork Hurdle

Under this bill, the days of just proving you can drive a big rig are over. States are now required to demand proof of status—citizenship or lawful presence—and proof that your primary residence (domicile) is actually in the state issuing the license (Sec. 2). For lawful non-citizens, this means states must use the federal Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to confirm status before issuing a license. If the system can’t confirm it, the state must deny the CDL or commercial learner’s permit. This isn't just a one-time check; states must keep all this documentation on file for at least two years, creating a massive new administrative load for state DMVs.

Life on a Short Leash for Non-Citizen Drivers

For non-citizens who successfully get a CDL, the license itself just got a lot less permanent. Currently, CDLs are typically valid for several years, but this bill forces a much shorter lifespan. A non-citizen’s CDL or learner’s permit will now expire on the earlier of two dates: either when their I-94 immigration document expires, or just one year after the license was issued (Sec. 2). Think about the hassle: instead of renewing every five years, you might be forced to renew annually, and every single time you need to upgrade, downgrade, renew, or transfer the license, you must do it in person. If a non-citizen loses eligibility for any reason, the state is required to immediately downgrade or revoke the license. This creates a constant administrative burden for drivers who are otherwise legally authorized to work and drive.

Shutting the Door on Foreign Licenses

Section 3 of the bill targets international drivers by mandating the termination of all existing agreements that recognize foreign CDLs. Within six months of the law taking effect, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) must cancel any deal that allows someone with a commercial license from another country to drive commercially in the U.S., unless a specific federal law explicitly overrides this requirement. This move could throw a wrench into cross-border logistics, especially with Canada and Mexico, potentially slowing down supply chains that rely on drivers licensed outside the U.S. to complete routes.

Safety Checks or Immigration Sweeps?

Perhaps the most significant change to enforcement is Section 4, which expands the role of immigration enforcement agencies. Agencies that have agreements under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act—which essentially deputizes local law enforcement to perform federal immigration functions—can now actively use their authority to find and deal with non-citizens driving commercial trucks illegally. They are required to report this information directly to the FMCSA. This blurs the line between commercial vehicle safety checks and immigration enforcement, bringing immigration agents directly into the business of truck safety oversight. For drivers, this means a routine traffic stop could potentially become an immigration check if the officer is part of a 287(g) program.

What Happens Next?

All these changes, including the new documentation rules and the end of foreign reciprocity, are set to kick in six months after the bill becomes law (Sec. 5). While the stated goal is to protect roads, the practical impact will be increased administrative costs for states, significant hurdles for lawful non-citizen drivers, and potential disruption to logistics networks relying on international drivers. The bill also gives the Secretary of Transportation new authority to penalize states that don't comply with the rules, though the specific penalties are not yet defined, leaving that power open-ended.