13,000 CDLs Canceled Amid Crackdown
A federal regulation targeting non-domiciled CDLs has taken effect, disqualifying approximately 13,000 drivers nationwide for failing to meet new verification standards FreightWaves.
The FMCSA finalized a rule restricting non-domiciled CDL eligibility primarily to specific visa categories like H-2A, H-2B, and E-2. Stronger immigration status verification is now required for states issuing these CDLs. This aims to standardize licensing and ensure consistent verification nationwide. The new rule's impact on the workforce is unclear, but analysts anticipate potential effects on thousands of drivers. Some believe it strengthens oversight, while others worry about reduced driver availability and worsened capacity issues. Legal challenges have already been filed, arguing the restrictions could disrupt the trucking workforce and disproportionately affect immigrant drivers. This crackdown could tighten capacity and increase freight rates, especially on long-haul routes. Shippers might face fewer bids and less flexibility, with compliant carriers gaining more pricing power. Some insurance companies are reportedly already denying coverage to carriers employing non-domiciled drivers, even before licenses expire.
