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Trucking Industry Faces Stricter CDL Enforcement and Carrier Oversight

Recent state and federal actions are tightening commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements and targeting problematic motor carriers, amid concerns over illegal residency, English proficiency, and safety violations.

Indiana Revokes CDLs for Undocumented Residents

Starting Wednesday, Indiana will revoke CDLs held by individuals residing in the United States illegally. The new state law aims to enforce immigration compliance among commercial drivers. Separately, a commercial vehicle driver was arrested at a New York Port of Entry after border agents discovered illegal status.

English Proficiency Rules Remove Thousands of Drivers

Wyoming has adopted new rules addressing English proficiency concerns, joining other states. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has set guidance requiring drivers to demonstrate proficiency. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that an estimated 9,500 drivers have been removed from roads in recent months for failing these requirements.

FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs emphasized the importance of CDL integrity during a March 27 session at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, recapping agency actions and future plans.

Calls to Curb ‘Bad Carriers’ and Enforcement Challenges

Two trucking groups are pushing measures to prevent unsafe carriers from operating. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, cited a WFAA investigation in a March 17 letter to Secretary Duffy and Administrator Barrs, highlighting multiple carriers registered to the same addresses, including one North Texas site linked to 20 companies.

FMCSA closed 3,843 enforcement cases in 2024 but only 617 in 2025 so far, an 84% decline. Insiders note increased difficulty targeting “chameleon carriers” that close after violations and reopen under new names.

Other Industry Developments

  • Carriers are rejecting more than 13% of tendered truckload shipments.
  • Cargo theft costs the U.S. trucking industry $18 million daily.
  • The state of Washington is investing $2.7 million in mainline sorter systems at two key entry points to handle higher truck volumes.

FMCSA has notified states to address non-domiciled CDLs, with potential federal funding cuts if issues persist.

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