New 'Safer Truckers Act' Restricts CDLs to Citizens and LPRs, Raising Concerns Over Driver Shortages

The newly introduced Safer Truckers Act of 2025 is looking to put some serious limits on who can get behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. The bill directly amends federal law (Section 31308(1) of title 49) to tighten the eligibility requirements for obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Under this new legislation, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), or individuals with specific authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that explicitly allows them to drive a commercial motor vehicle would qualify for a CDL.

The Immigration Gate: Who Gets to Drive?

Currently, many people working in the trucking industry hold various forms of work authorization that allow them to legally work in the U.S. This bill, however, narrows that lane considerably. If you’re a driver who isn't a citizen or LPR, your work authorization wouldn't just need to be valid; it would need to be specifically designated by USCIS for commercial driving (SEC. 2). This is a big deal because standard Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) often grant general work permission, not job-specific authority. If this bill passes, thousands of current drivers who are legally authorized to work but don't meet this hyper-specific USCIS requirement could find themselves unable to renew their CDLs, essentially pulling them off the road.

The Ripple Effect on Supply Chains

This restriction has the potential to hit the already strained trucking industry hard. The American Trucking Associations estimates the industry is already short tens of thousands of drivers. By restricting the pool of eligible drivers even further, the Act risks exacerbating this shortage. What does a driver shortage mean for you? It means fewer trucks on the road, which translates directly into higher shipping costs for everything from groceries to construction materials, ultimately spiking prices for consumers and businesses alike. If you’re a small business owner relying on timely shipments, or just someone trying to keep up with rising costs at the supermarket, this restriction could make things more expensive and less reliable.

New Paperwork for States and Language Checks

The Act also imposes new reporting requirements on state motor vehicle departments (SEC. 3). States would only be allowed to issue a CDL if the applicant meets the strict immigration criteria outlined above. On top of that, states must now submit an annual report to the Secretary of Transportation detailing how they are enforcing the existing federal rules requiring commercial drivers to be proficient in English (section 391.11(b)(2)). While English proficiency is an existing safety requirement, mandating annual state reports on enforcement adds a new layer of bureaucratic oversight and administrative burden for state DMVs, which will have to dedicate resources to tracking and documenting their compliance efforts.