Texas Resumes CDL Licensing for H-2A Farm Workers After Federal Approval

Key Details The Texas Department of Public Safety has restarted issuing non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses to temporary agricultural workers holding H-2A visas, following federal approval under updated Department of Transportation rules. This reversal comes less than three months after the FMCSA narrowed eligibility requirements for non-domiciled CDLs nationwide. What's Required Applicants must appear in person at a DPS office with an unexpired foreign passport, visa documentation, and proof of H-2A status. The licenses are valid for a maximum of one year, and the state has discontinued Spanish language CDL testing due to new federal requirements. Why It Matters Texas previously suspended non-domiciled CDL issuance while reviewing federal compliance standards. The new federal audit and tightened documentation requirements have prompted multiple states to reassess their programs to avoid potential highway funding losses. Nine states, including Texas, have now received federal approval to resume operations. Larger Impact Federal officials project the non-domiciled CDL population will decline from approximately 200,000 drivers nationwide to roughly 6,000 as existing licenses expire. Texas currently has between 6,000 to 9,600 non-domiciled CDL holders who will be subject to these new restrictions.