Trump okays lifetime CDL ban for drivers convicted of human trafficking felony

This week, President Trump signed into a law a bill that would strip a truck driver of his  CDL for life upon conviction of felony human trafficking.

Lifetime CDL Ban Signed Into Law

The “No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act” was signed into law by Trump on January 8. According to the White House, the law “requires the Department of Transportation to disqualify an individual who uses a commercial motor vehicle in committing a felony involving human trafficking from operating a commercial motor vehicle for life.”

The bill was introduced on July 12, 2017, by Senators John Thune, Amy Klobuchar, and Bill Nelson.

“Human trafficking must be fought on many fronts. Our legislation is a starting point for prevention and enforcement against the use of a commercial driver’s license in human trafficking,” said Thune.

The bill was opposed by both OOIDA and Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT).

OOIDA argued that the bill unfairly singled out truck drivers.

TAT also argued against the bill: “We are fully aware that trucking is one of the most over-regulated industries, and that you cannot legislate the mind and heart … To date, the only federal bill we have given our support to is Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s bill (S1536), which would designate a human trafficking prevention coordinator at the U.S. DOT, increase outreach, education and reporting efforts at the FMCSA, and provide CDL schools who are implementing anti-trafficking education additional financial assistance. This bill only incentivizes training at the federal level; it does not mandate it.”