Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a new federal rule on Wednesday aimed at tightening requirements for foreign nationals seeking commercial driver’s licenses, citing a series of deadly crashes involving non-domiciled CDL holders, as reported by The Blaze.

The Department of Transportation finalized the rule titled “Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses,” which the agency said is designed to close safety gaps in how CDLs are issued to foreign drivers.

“For far too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing systems — wreaking havoc on our roadways. This safety loophole ends today,” Duffy said.

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“Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig. Under President Trump's leadership, we are putting the safety of the driving public first. From enforcing English language standards to holding fraudulent carriers accountable, we will continue to attack this crisis on our roads head-on.”

Under the new rule, applicants for non-domiciled CDLs will no longer be permitted to rely on Employment Authorization Documents, or EADs, to demonstrate eligibility.

The DOT said reliance on EADs had led to “widespread regulatory non-compliance.” Instead, applicants must present a foreign passport or Form I-94 documentation.

In a press release, the department explained that states are unable to access foreign driving records in the same way they can review U.S. drivers’ histories.

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“While U.S. drivers are subject to strict checks through national databases for past violations — such as DUIs, reckless driving, or crash involvement — states lack the ability to access the driving records of foreigners and illegal immigrants. This loophole allowed individuals with dangerous driving histories to obtain a trucking license simply by presenting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which does not screen for transportation safety,” the DOT stated.

The rule also limits eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs to foreign nationals holding H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas.

Those visa categories apply to temporary agricultural workers, seasonal non-agricultural workers, and treaty investors. Applicants in those categories will be subject to enhanced interagency vetting.

In addition, state driver licensing agencies must confirm each applicant’s immigration status through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek Barrs said, “If we cannot verify your safe driving history, you cannot hold a CDL in this country.”

According to the DOT, “At least 17 fatal crashes and 30 deaths in 2025 alone were caused by non-domiciled drivers who will now be ineligible to get a license.”

The rule follows several high-profile crashes involving foreign nationals who obtained CDLs in California.

In October, Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old Indian national with a California CDL despite being in the United States illegally, was involved in a collision on the I-10 freeway that killed three people, including a high school basketball coach and his wife.

In August, Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old Indian national who also obtained a CDL in California, was accused of causing a crash in Florida that left three people dead.

Following those incidents, California officials pointed to federal work authorization documents in defending their issuance of CDLs.

“The FEDERAL government approves and renews all FEDERAL employment authorization documents that allows individuals to work and obtain commercial driver's licenses,” the California State Transportation Agency said.

After the Florida crash, the office of Gavin Newsom issued a statement blaming federal authorities.

“Hey, Commander Cosplay,” the office wrote, referring to President Donald Trump, “the federal government (YOU) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements — YOU issued him a work permit (EAD). Oops.”

Hey, Commander Cosplay: the federal government (YOU) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements -- YOU issued him a work permit (EAD). Oops.

As usual, you are either lying or clueless. https://t.co/3zYZFILJKS pic.twitter.com/V0fzG8VR4G — Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 18, 2025

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