USDOT Emergency Action on Non-Domiciled CDLs Signals Stronger Safety Oversight

Sec. Duffy delivers strongly worded enforcement update to states with improper CDL issuance practices. 09/26/25

Today’s announcement by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy marks a significant step toward strengthening safety and accountability in the commercial motor vehicle industry. By closing loopholes in the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs and launching enforcement action against California 'for gross negligence', USDOT has demonstrated that it will not accept unsafe driving, licensing, or training practices.

“What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Licenses to operate a massive, 80,000-pound truck are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers – often times illegally. This is a direct threat to the safety of every family on the road, and I won’t stand for it. Today’s actions will prevent unsafe foreign drivers from renewing their license and hold states accountable to immediately invalidate improperly issued licenses.”

Read the full USDOT announcement here:

Watch the full press conference here:

This emergency rule follows a familiar pattern of audits identifying problems, followed by targeted federal responses. Just last week, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced an audit into FMCSA’s capacity to oversee the CDL licensing process. Similarly, the data that triggered today’s announcement grew out of an FMCSA audit of California conducted in June.

These actions reinforce the importance of audits as a tool to uncover unsafe practices and highlight the urgency of reform when deficiencies are found. CVTA believes that consistent follow-through—moving from audit findings to real accountability—is the only way to restore public confidence in CDL licensing and training systems.

While today's announcement does not include specific enforcement language on Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) or the Training Provider Registry (TPR), the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) views this decisive action as an encouraging signal that systemic weaknesses in CDL oversight are being taken seriously.

Looking ahead, CVTA is hopeful that the OIG’s audit of FMCSA oversight capacity will result in similarly decisive action. The safety of the motoring public, the reputation of professional training providers, and the careers of the nation’s truck drivers all depend on a licensing system that is rigorous, lawful, and effectively enforced.

Today’s announcement underscores that the federal government is committed to protecting America’s roads from unsafe drivers and negligent licensing practices. CVTA will continue to advocate for robust ELDT enforcement and stronger oversight of the Training Provider Registry to ensure that every commercial driver is properly trained, tested, and qualified before getting behind the wheel.