Protecting America’s Roads Act
Protecting America’s Roads Act would significantly tighten the requirements for obtaining and holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and related permits. Key changes include requiring a state domicile to issue a CDL, mandating verification of lawful presence for non-citizen applicants through the SAVE system, and prohibiting issuance to non-domiciled individuals. The bill would also shorten or define license validity for non-citizens, require in-person processing for certain actions (upgrades, downgrades, renewals, transfers), and authorize downgrading or revocation if eligibility lapses. It would terminate existing reciprocity agreements recognizing foreign CDsLs within six months unless Congress authorizes them otherwise and would authorize immigration-enforcement-aligned agencies to help identify foreign nationals unlawfully operating commercial vehicles. The act would take effect six months after enactment. In short, the bill aims to ensure that CDL holders are domiciled and lawfully present, to strictly regulate non-citizen CDL processing, and to end foreign-license reciprocity, with heightened enforcement and cross-agency cooperation.
Key Points
- 1State domicile required for CDL issuance: A state cannot issue a commercial driver’s license to someone who is not domiciled in that state.
- 2SAVE verification for non-citizens: States must use the SAVE system to verify lawful presence for any non-citizen applying for a CDL or commercial learner’s permit, keep related documents for at least 2 years, and deny licenses if SAVE confirms non-lawful presence.
- 3Non-citizen license validity: For non-citizen applicants, a CDL or CDL permit would expire at the earlier of the I-94 expiration or one year after issuance.
- 4In-person processing for non-citizens: Any upgrade, downgrade, renewal, or transfer of a CDL or commercial learner’s permit for a non-citizen must be completed in person.
- 5Downgrade/revocation for lapses in eligibility: States must downgrade or revoke a CDL/learner’s permit for non-citizens if eligibility lapses.
- 6Penalties for noncompliance: The Secretary of Transportation would issue regulations to establish penalties for States that fail to comply with these provisions.
- 7Termination of foreign-CDL reciprocity: Within six months after enactment, terminate existing reciprocity agreements recognizing foreign CDsLs or allowing foreign permit holders to operate in the U.S., unless specifically authorized by statute.
- 8Agency cooperation (287(g) alignment): Agencies operating under 287(g) authority may use it to identify and address foreign nationals unlawfully operating commercial vehicles and report findings to the FMCSA.
- 9Effective date: The act would take effect six months after enactment.