A Texas Representative has introduced a bill that seeks to “end recognition of foreign Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs)” while also taking other actions to tighten CDL standards for non-citizen truck drivers.
On October 3, 2025, U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) introduced the Protecting America’s Roads Act.
The bill seeks to codify a recent emergency interim final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation to restrict eligibility for non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) and CDLs.
Bill Calls For End Of CDL Reciprocity Within Six Months Of Enactment
The bill also contains a provision that would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to “terminate any existing reciprocity agreements that recognize foreign commercial driver’s licenses in the United States or permit holders of foreign commercial driver’s licenses to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the United States, unless expressly authorized by statute.”
Currently, the United States has CDL reciprocity agreements only with two North American countries, the federal government of Mexico and the provinces and territories of Canada.
If passed, the legislation would require the FMCSA to terminate the CDL reciprocity agreements within 6 months after the bill was enacted.
What Else Would The Protecting America’s Roads Act Do?
See below for more provisions in the Protecting America’s Roads Act:
- Requires CDL applicants to prove lawful status and domicile
- Mandates DHS SAVE verification for all non-citizen applicants
- Limits non-citizen CDLs to the shorter of Form I-94 expiration or one year
- Requires in-person renewals and transfers
- Directs states to revoke licenses when eligibility lapses, and establishes penalties for states that don’t comply
- Authorizes 287(g) agencies to report unlawful CDL operators
“It is time to end the danger posed by illegal immigrant and foreign national truck drivers who are not capable of safely operating an 18-wheel commercial vehicle or, in many cases, understanding English language warning signs and road instructions,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “People in Texas, Florida, and many other states have lost their lives because we have third-world truck drivers menacing our roadways and creating deadly situations on American highways – this must end! To any state bothered by these new rules and proposed legislation, do our country a favor and stop endangering the lives of Americans with your reckless actions or suffer the consequences of having federal highway funds removed.”
See the full text of the bill here.