US Government Tightens Requirements for Truck Drivers
The US Department of Transportation has introduced a new final rule aimed at preventing unqualified foreigners from obtaining licenses to operate commercial trucks and buses. The administration considers such drivers a “significant threat to public safety” and blames them for numerous accidents in recent years.
Key Changes in the Rules
The new 212-page rule focuses on addressing two critical issues. The first is a “safety gap that allowed state driver’s licensing agencies to issue commercial licenses to foreign drivers without checking their driving history.”
As the Department of Transportation explained, US citizens wishing to obtain commercial licenses undergo thorough checks for accidents, violations, and driving under the influence. However, states did not have the ability to conduct similar checks for foreigners and illegal immigrants.
This loophole allowed individuals with a dangerous driving history to obtain a trucking license simply by presenting an Employment Authorization Document, which does not require a transportation safety check.
Scale of the Problem and New Requirements
The second problem concerns excessive reliance on the aforementioned work permits, which “has led to over 30 states illegally issuing tens of thousands of licenses to drivers who were not eligible.”
To address these issues, the final rule limits eligibility for obtaining a license to individuals with non-immigrant status H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 who undergo an “enhanced interagency vetting.” Employment Authorization Documents will no longer be accepted as proof of eligibility for a license. Applicants must now provide an unexpired foreign passport and a Form I-94 document.
States are also required to run applicants through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system to confirm their lawful immigration status.
Reaction and Expected Effect
The rule will take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The government hopes this will save lives, as, according to their data, last year 30 people died in accidents caused by drivers without a permanent US residence, who under the new rules will not be eligible to obtain a license.
This is for Dalilah Coleman and all Americans killed or injured in crashes caused by UNQUALIFIED foreign truck drivers. These drivers should never have received commercial driver’s licenses. And this rule ensures that will never happen again.
Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy stated: “For too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing system – causing chaos on our roads.” He added that the safety gap is closing today because “unqualified foreign drivers will not be able to obtain a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig.”
The American people should not pay the price for the FAILED POLICY of the previous administration. Under this president, we are holding states accountable so that only QUALIFIED drivers operate big rigs on our roads!
The consequences of the innovations are yet to be seen, but the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association supported this step. Its president, Todd Spencer, said: “For too long, loopholes in this program have allowed unqualified drivers onto our highways, endangering professional truckers and motorists. This final rule is a major step toward safer roads, greater accountability, and a more professional trucking industry.”
These changes are taking place against the backdrop of a broader discussion about road safety and labor migration control. The implementation of enhanced checks may lead to temporary difficulties in the trucking industry, which is already facing a labor shortage, but on the other hand, it is expected to ensure a long-term increase in standards. The success of the reform will depend on clear coordination between federal agencies and state authorities, as well as the effectiveness of the new verification procedures. The issue of drivers’ language competence, particularly knowledge of English for understanding road signs and communication, also remains an important aspect of overall safety, which may require further attention.