A nationwide audit conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows a lack of compliance with federal law by several states for commercial license requirements, with Texas included on the list.
Late last week, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy released new emergency rules to help clarify and strengthen the current licensing system.
“What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American,” Duffy announced.
“Licenses to operate a massive, 80,000-pound truck are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers – often times illegally,” he continued.
“This is a direct threat to the safety of every family on the road, and I won’t stand for it.”
In the audit, it was found that several states are violating federal requirements, including California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, and Texas.
The audit revealed a lack of proper staff training, which reportedly led to licenses being issued to ineligible drivers. License expiration dates were discovered that extended beyond a driver’s legal stay in the U.S.
Programming errors and poor quality assurance were also uncovered.
Included in the new rules are several requirements for non-U.S. citizens. One is to possess and show proof of certain visas and documentation, such as a short term work visa and a current passport. The individual must also be verified through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s immigration status check.
All license renewals must now be done in person and the expiration date will be one year later or when the individual’s visa expires.
The federal government’s move comes after Gov. Greg Abbott directed Texas DPS earlier this month to enforce English fluency requirements to obtain a CDL, in line with a directive from President Donald Trump earlier in the year.
According to the DOT’s Friday announcement, the new rules take effect immediately.
