OOIDA Supports Federal Crackdown On State’s Unsafe Issuance Of Non-Domiciled CDLs
Non-domiciled CDLs aren’t just a regulatory nuisance — they threaten safety, jobs, and fairness for truckers. The Trump Interim Final Rule restricting these CDLs was a victory…but only for now. It’s Congress that must solidify it. Congressman David Rouzer’s legislation (H.R. 5688) would convert Trump’s crackdown into LAW.
FAST FACTS ABOUT NON-DOMICILED CDLS
- Prior to the Trump Administration’s regulatory action on September 25, 2025, non-domiciled CDLs allow individuals to operate a CMV, regardless of whether they are an American citizen or came to the U.S. with a work visa or some other prior authorization. In recent years, there has been an explosion in the number of non-domiciled CDLs issued by states. Too often, drivers using these licenses have not gone through the same level of vetting or qualifications as U.S. citizens.
WHAT’S OOIDA DOING?
- OOIDA supports the Trump Administration’s Interim Final Rule (IFR) that eliminates non- domiciled CDLs in the long-haul industry.
- OOIDA supports the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, H.R. 5688, introduced by U.S. Rep David Rouzer (R-NC), This bill would codify the Trump Administration’s IFR, making it law and preventing future administrations from loosening or reversing restrictions that stop the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs for long-haul drivers.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Contact Your Lawmakers: Use the form on this page to tell your lawmakers to support H.R. 5688.
OOIDA SUPPORTS FULL ENFORCEMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY ON THE ROADSIDE, AND DURING TRAINING AND LICENSING
OOIDA joins DOT Secretary Sean Duffy Announcing New Guidance to Enforce English Proficiency Requirement for Truckers
On April 28th, President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14286, “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers.” The action outlined procedures that have since reinstated English proficiency as an Out-of-Service violation. OOIDA has long advocated for this action and strongly agrees with President Trump’s decision to resume enforcement of English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers.
FAST FACTS ABOUT ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
- Motor carriers and drivers must comply with existing regulations that promote safety. 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2) states that a person is qualified to drive a truck only if they, “Can read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.” Prior to 2016, a driver that failed to satisfy this requirement during a roadside inspection was placed out-of-service.
- The ability to understand and react to road signs, especially in emergency situations, is critical for public and operational safety. Drivers must also be able to communicate with law enforcement and, in the case of an emergency, first responders.
- With President Trump’s EO, English language proficiency has been restored to the out-of-service criteria.
WHAT’S OOIDA DOING?
- In addition to our advocacy to U.S. DOT and the White House, OOIDA is urging Congress to implement more comprehensive training and licensing standards that will prevent unsafe drivers from ever getting behind the wheel of a commercial truck. This includes enforcing English Proficiency at the CDL licensing stage.
- OOIDA supports the Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act, S. 2114, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS). This bill would require drivers to demonstrate English language proficiency before being granted a CDL.
- OOIDA supports the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act, S. 3013 and H.R. 5767, introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), respectively. These bills require all testing related to the issuance or renewal of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to be conducted only in English.
- OOIDA has led efforts to enforce existing English language proficiency requirements for those already driving. We worked closely with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and the Trump Administration to restore a lack of English language proficiency to an out-of-service violation.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Contact Your Lawmakers: Click here to support legislation that strengthens ELP standards for commercial drivers.
MORE RESOURCES
- President Trump’s Executive Order on English Language Proficiency, Non-Domiciled CDLs, and Improving Working Conditions for Truckers
- DOT Takes Emergency Action to Protect America’s Roads, Restrict Non-Domiciled CDLs
- OOIDA Letter to DOT on Non-Domiciled CDLs
- OOIDA Calls on 43 Governors to Stop Issuing Non-Domiciled CDLs
- OOIDA Letter To Congress on Improving CDL Training and Licensing
- U.S. State Department Pauses Visas for Commercial Truck Drivers
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