Trucking groups are on board with the Department of Transportation’s recent emergency ruling where non-U.S. citizens will be ineligible to obtain CDLs unless they meet a stricter set of ID requirements.
The latest ruling comes after several other initiatives from the agency to ramp up enforcement standards on commercial driving. Last month, the U.S. State Department paused processing of work visas for applicants seeking to operate commercial trucks in the United States.
Groups such as the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have voiced concerns in the past describing certain instances of non-domiciled CDL issuances as irresponsible.
In August, OOIDA stated that the trucking industry faces overcapacity, and the misuse of visa programs increases the number of non-domiciled CDL holders and floods the U.S. with truck drivers.
Other industry stakeholders are still evaluating the impact of the emergency ruling, including the California Trucking Association, Washington Trucking Associations and the Harbor Trucking Association, the groups told Trucking Dive by email.
Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, President Todd Spencer
“OOIDA and truckers across America applaud Secretary Duffy for responding to our concerns by taking substantial actions to crack down on the irresponsible issuance of non-domiciled CDLs, particularly in California. For too long, loopholes in this program have allowed unqualified drivers onto America’s highways, creating unnecessary safety risks for professional drivers and the motoring public alike. These enforcement actions will also remove bad actors from the road and restore accountability to the system. Today’s action is an important step toward safer highways and a stronger, more professional trucking industry.”
American Trucking Associations, President and CEO Chris Spear
“ATA supports steps to strengthen credentialing standards and ensure that non-domiciled CDL holders have and maintain the proper authorization and qualifications required under federal law. Rules only work when they are consistently enforced, and it's imperative that all state driver licensing agencies comply with federal regulations. We appreciate USDOT taking these steps to guarantee that happens, and we look forward to reviewing the rule in detail and providing specific feedback in our official comments."
Western States Trucking Association
“We support U.S. DOT tightening the rules to issue "non-domiciled" CDL's. Trucking in all modes has been struggling with a depressed rate environment for three years now undercutting the need for foreign drivers operating in the U.S. because of an "alleged" driver shortage. There is a significant overcapacity issue in the industry. While some may claim opposition to "non-domiciled" CDL's is a xenophobic position, it always has been an economic position of most in the industry.
“The updated requirements/restrictions on how states may issue a ‘non-resident’ CDL are welcomed and long overdue.”
Washington Trucking Associations, President and CEO Sheri Call
“We're advising members of the potential impact and to check driver and contractor records for work status eligibility because potentially over 6,000 drivers may become ineligible under new rules that go into effect on Monday,” Call said Friday. “That said, we're still working toward clarity on the issue.”
