28,000 Foreign Trucker Licenses Revoked Under New Federal Rules

Key Details More than 28,000 non-domiciled commercial driver licenses have been revoked nationwide after states failed to comply with stricter federal regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conducted audits last June and found that over 30 states had issued illegal licenses to foreign truckers, prompting enforcement actions against 26 states. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced these revocations as part of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten trucking industry standards. Why It Matters The revoked licenses represent about 14% of the 194,000 current non-domiciled CDL holders expected to exit the freight market under new rules taking effect March 16. The stricter requirements now mandate English-language proficiency and valid working documents for foreign drivers, addressing violations that included expired credentials and licenses issued to ineligible foreign nationals. What Changed States had been issuing non-domiciled CDLs to foreign truckers without proper verification of legal U.S. residence and work authorization. The new FMCSA final rule, effective February 2026, stops unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining these credentials and requires existing license holders to meet updated eligibility standards. Duffy described the previous system as operating like the 'Wild, Wild West,' emphasizing the need for common-sense enforcement of trucking regulations.