(NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES) North Carolina Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC) introduced H.R. 5688, the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, on October 8, 2025, aiming to bar non-domiciled immigrants who are not lawfully present in the United States 🇺🇸 from getting or keeping Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to operate big rigs.
The proposal would push states to tighten checks on immigration status before issuing CDLs, add tougher renewal rules for foreign nationals, and penalize states that refuse to comply. Supporters frame the bill as a road safety and labor protection measure; critics warn it could disrupt freight flows and upend the lives of long-haul drivers who legally live and work in the U.S. on temporary status.
Key Provisions
- States must verify every CDL applicant’s lawful status and U.S. domicile.
- For non-citizens, departments of motor vehicles would be required to confirm immigration status through the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE system before issuing or renewing a Non-Domiciled CDL.
- The act would limit a non-citizen CDL’s validity to the earlier of the person’s Form I-94 expiration date or one year, whichever is shorter.
- All renewals and transfers would have to occur in person—no remote/mail/online renewals for affected drivers.
- Non-compliant states could lose federal highway funds.
- If enacted, the measure would take effect six months after enactment.
Rouzer’s office said the goal is to “protect Americans’ safety, support American workers, and restore order to our commercial trucking licensing system” by blocking applicants who are unlawfully present or otherwise ineligible. The bill also seeks to codify recent Department of Transportation rule changes around eligibility for foreign nationals seeking Commercial Driver’s Licenses. VisaVerge.com reports the proposal reflects growing pressure in Congress to standardize state-level vetting and shorten the window during which non-citizen CDLs remain valid when immigration status is time-limited.
Policy Details and Compliance Risks
The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act zeroes in on eligibility, proof, and enforcement:
- Eligibility and Proof
- All CDL applicants must show lawful status and a U.S. domicile.
- Non-citizens would face mandatory DHS SAVE checks before issuance or renewal of a Non-Domiciled CDL.
- Time-Limited Validity
- A foreign national’s CDL could not extend past the person’s Form I-94 admission period and, in any event, could not last beyond one year without re-verification.
- In-Person Renewals and Transfers
- No remote, mail, or online renewals for affected drivers; the person must appear at a licensing office to re-verify.
- State Enforcement
- States that fail to comply risk losing federal highway funds, a significant penalty designed to enforce uniform standards.
- Timeline
- The act would take effect six months after enactment, giving states and carriers a narrow window to adjust.
This focus on Non-Domiciled immigrants targets individuals who are not permanent residents and may be lawfully present only for set periods tied to work or admission conditions. For drivers on temporary visas, the one-year cap combined with the I-94 limit would force frequent status checks. Backers say this closes gaps that could allow someone to keep driving after their authorized stay ends. Opponents argue it duplicates checks already required during employment verification and imposes extra trips, fees, and downtime on drivers and fleets.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
The proposal arrives amid heightened federal and state attention on the trucking workforce.
- On August 22, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a federal pause on issuing new visas to foreigners seeking to become commercial truck drivers, citing safety and labor market concerns.
- In the House, Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) introduced the Protecting America’s Roads Act in early October to harden CDL eligibility rules for foreign nationals and penalize noncompliant states.
- At the state level, Florida lawmakers are considering SB 86, which would require police to arrest undocumented truck drivers and impound their vehicles, with large fines for vehicle owners.
Trucking companies acknowledge safety issues while warning of ripple effects:
- The American Trucking Associations supports tighter oversight but warns broader restrictions could deepen the driver shortage.
- Carriers already face thin margins, tight delivery windows, and rising insurance costs.
- More frequent in-person renewals for Non-Domiciled immigrants—especially when tied to short I-94 validity—could:
- Pull drivers off the road more often
- Strain licensing offices
- Add administrative costs for employers
For many long-haul operators on valid temporary visas or pending immigration cases, the impact would be immediate:
- A driver admitted for several months might see a CDL that expires well before one year, forcing repeated office visits to keep driving.
- If a state fails to implement verification steps quickly, drivers could face delays or denials; fleets may reroute freight to avoid compliance risks.
- Immigrant families who rely on trucking incomes could see pay gaps if renewal lines stretch for hours or weeks—especially in rural areas where DMV offices are scarce.
The bill’s enforcement hook—possible loss of federal highway funds—raises the stakes for state governments. Licensing agencies would need to:
- Equip staff to run SAVE checks quickly
- Train front-line workers on Non-Domiciled CDL procedures
- Coordinate with immigration counsel for complex documents
The six-month implementation window may feel short for states dependent on manual processes or legacy systems. Some possible state responses include:
- Creating special lanes or appointments for CDL holders approaching I-94 end dates
- Syncing renewal reminders with immigration timelines
Employers that hire drivers holding Non-Domiciled CDLs would likely change onboarding and HR workflows:
- Track I-94 end dates as closely as medical certificates
- Run internal reminders for upcoming CDL expirations
- Plan route assignments that allow time for in-person renewals
- Prefer recruits with longer authorized stays or permanent status to reduce churn
Smaller operators and owner-operators may struggle most with repeated renewals and potential gaps in driving authority.
Consumer and Supply Chain Effects
- Any loss of driver availability—whether from visa pauses, shorter CDL validity, or state compliance delays—could result in slower deliveries or higher shipping costs.
- Grocery, retail, and construction supply chains rely on steady freight capacity; disruptions could ripple through these sectors.
- If multiple states implement slowly and face federal penalties, interstate carriers may regionalize routes or increase pay to retain compliant drivers, further pressuring costs.
Arguments For and Against
- Supporters:
- Argue the bill draws a bright line: only those lawfully present should hold Commercial Driver’s Licenses.
- Say immigration document dates should match the authority to drive big rigs.
- Claim it protects roads, taxpayers, and American jobs.
- Critics:
- Note many foreign drivers with Non-Domiciled CDLs already pass rigorous testing and background checks.
- Warn the industry needs a stable pipeline of trained drivers to move freight safely.
- Point to potential duplication with existing employment verification processes and the burden of frequent in-person renewals.
VisaVerge.com’s analysis suggests the push in Congress to codify federal rules reflects a broader crackdown on undocumented or ineligible drivers, with the Rouzer and Van Duyne bills moving in tandem while states like Florida weigh their own enforcement steps.
Practical Guidance and Recommendations
For drivers, carriers, and stakeholders:
- Non-Domiciled immigrants who drive for a living should:
- Keep documents current
- Monitor expiration dates closely
- Confirm the Form I-94 date
- Plan early renewal appointments
- Keep copies of approvals for any status changes
- Carriers can reduce disruption by:
- Mapping drivers’ paperwork timelines
- Setting schedules that allow for in-person visits before peak freight periods
- Creating internal reminders and tracking I-94 end dates
If H.R. 5688 advances, the six-month runway will be short. The next few weeks will show whether the House folds the measure into a broader package or moves it as a stand-alone bill, and how states begin preparing for stricter Non-Domiciled CDL controls.
This Article in a Nutshell
H.R. 5688, introduced by Rep. David Rouzer on October 8, 2025, seeks to bar non-domiciled immigrants who are not lawfully present from obtaining or retaining Commercial Driver’s Licenses. The bill would require states to verify applicants’ lawful status and U.S. domicile, mandate DHS SAVE checks for non-citizens, and cap non-citizen CDL validity at the earlier of the individual’s Form I-94 expiration or one year. Renewals and transfers must be done in person, and states that fail to implement required checks risk losing federal highway funds. Proponents point to road safety and protecting American workers; critics warn of supply-chain disruptions, increased costs, and burdens on legal temporary drivers and their families. If enacted, the law would take effect six months after passage, prompting rapid state updates to DMV processes, staff training, and coordination with carriers to manage renewals and document tracking.
