Press Release: Congressman Rouzer Introduces the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act

Press Release: Congressman Rouzer Introduces the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC) introduced H.R. 5688, the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, to protect Americans' safety, support American workers, and restore order to our commercial trucking licensing system. This critical legislation ends the reckless policy of granting Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to illegal immigrants who lack the English proficiency and road-rule knowledge needed to safely operate massive commercial vehicles on our highways.

The bill aligns with the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Interim Final Rule, "Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver's Licenses," and builds on the decisive leadership of USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy, who sounded the alarm on the national security and public safety risks of lax CDL issuance policies.

The bill comes in the wake of multiple fatal crashes involving non-domiciled drivers which could have been avoided had proper vetting and safety standards been in place. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has identified at least five fatal crashes this year linked to non-domiciled CDL holders-killing 12 people (including two children) and injuring 15. At least two of these drivers were improperly issued a CDL, while others held CDLs they would have been ineligible for under this legislation.

"The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act is a necessary response to the troubling findings of widespread non-compliance in state licensing agencies and a string of tragic, preventable crashes involving illegal immigrant drivers," said Rep. Rouzer. "This legislation ensures only individuals with lawful immigration status and a legitimate reason to operate commercial vehicles in the U.S. are entrusted with CDLs. We're closing dangerous loopholes and restoring accountability. We must never, under any circumstance, jeopardize public safety by allowing those here illegally to get behind the wheel of a big rig."

This summer, President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Americans on the road by signing an Executive Order on Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America's Truck Drivers. President Trump and Secretary Duffy have made it clear: Our roads aren't a testing ground for dangerous loopholes or politically driven neglect. They are lifelines of our economy, and the safety of every American who travels them must come first.

You can read H.R. 5688 here.