Ending CDL reciprocity: the U.S. seeks stricter measures

New bill would require states to comply with the strict CDL regulations recently established.

The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced new legislation aimed at codifying recent changes in the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, specifically related to tightening the requirements for foreign nationals to obtain or maintain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Additionally, the legislation would put an end to existing reciprocity agreements that recognize commercial licenses issued in Mexico and Canada, according to reports.

Bill H.R.5670 was introduced on September 30 by Representative Beth Van Duyne, a Republican from Texas. Titled the Protecting American Roads Act, the bill would require states to comply with the strict CDL regulations recently established. Failure to do so could result in “severe penalties,” Van Duyne warned in a press release.

Van Duyne to Newsmax: Bill Would Make It Harder for Foreign Natls to Get CDLshttps://t.co/hlRnC1qbNl pic.twitter.com/TH7IWCIiUb
— Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (@RepBethVanDuyne) October 4, 2025

Protecting American Roads Act: the end of CDLs for foreign drivers?

The Protecting American Roads Act would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to prohibit any reciprocity agreement that recognizes foreign-issued CDLs in the United States or allows foreign CDL holders to operate commercial vehicles in the country, unless such agreements are explicitly authorized by federal law.

Currently, the United States maintains reciprocity agreements only with Mexico and Canada. The potential termination of these agreements could b.

Specifically, Bill H.R.5670 mandates the following actions by the relevant authorities:

CDL applicants must demonstrate legal status and residency.
All non-citizen applicants must undergo DHS SAVE verification.
CDLs issued to non-citizens must be limited to the shorter of either the I-94 expiration date or one year.
Renewals and transfers must be conducted in person
States must revoke licenses once eligibility expires.
Penalties will be imposed on states that fail to comply.
Recognition of foreign CDLs will be terminated unless authorized by law.
287(g) agencies will be authorized to report illegal CDL holders.

Safeguarding U.S. roads

Van Duyne stated that the bill aims to eliminate the “danger posed by illegal immigrant and foreign truck drivers.” According to the congresswoman, this danger stems from the inability of some drivers to adequately understand traffic signs and instructions in English, which could jeopardize road safety.

In her statement, Van Duyne claimed that many people in Texas, Florida, and other states have been involved in accidents, some of them fatal, caused, she said, by truck drivers with limited English proficiency. “This must end! To any state that objects to these new rules and the proposed legislation, do our country a favor: stop putting American lives at risk with your reckless actions, or face the consequences, including the loss of federal highway funding,” the representative declared.

The bill is still under review. If approved, it would take effect six months after its enactment. For now, it has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Judiciary Committee for consideration of the provisions within their respective jurisdictions.