Texas stops issuing CDLs to certain non-citizens in compliance with FMCSA’s emergency rule

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) announced immediate action to suspended the issuance of certain commercial driver licenses (CDLs) in order to comply with an emergency federal rule.

As of September 29, 2025, TXDPS is no longer issuing  non-domicile CDLs and all CDLs to non-citizens who are refugees, asylees or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

TXDPS also suspended the issuance of non-domicile commercial learners permits (CLPs) and CLPs for non-citizen refugees, asylees and DACA recipients. 

“Effective immediately, CDL/CLPs will not be issued, renewed or reissued if a customer falls under the non-domicile, refugee, asylee or DACA categories. Customers with a pending issuance will not be allowed to continue any written or skills testing until the services for non-domicile CDL/CLP are reinstated,” TXDPS stated.

TXDPS noted that “the department has never issued any type of license to asylum seekers who have not been approved for lawful presence.”

The announcement from TXDPS comes in response to an Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) emergency interim final rule (IFR) that went into effect September 29 limiting the authority of State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to issue and renew non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs to individuals domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction. FMCSA pointed to recent deadly crashes as well as state non-compliance with CLP and CDL regulations as justification for issuing the emergency rule change without prior notice or public comment period.

“This action is a part of the department’s ongoing commitment to keeping Texas roads safe,” officials said.