Based
on reports and audits from 2025 and early 2026, investigations have identified
thousands of improperly issued non-domiciled Commercial Driver's Licenses
(CDLs) to non-citizens, with a significant number concentrated in
California.
California Audit (2025-2026): In late 2025, it was revealed that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) had issued approximately 17,000 to 21,000 non-domiciled CDLs that did not comply with federal regulations, with many having expiration dates that exceeded the holder's legal presence in the U.S..
Federal Action (2025-2026): Following a nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2025, it was found that California, along with other states (including Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and South Dakota), had issued non-domiciled CDLs to individuals who were ineligible, such as those with expired work permits.
Total Scope: The FMCSA estimated in September 2025 that there were roughly 200,000 non-domiciled CDL holders nationwide, representing about 5% of all active CDL holders. A subsequent 2025 report by Overdrive, not including all states, found evidence of at least 60,000 active non-domiciled CDLs.
Recent Restrictions (2025-2026): Following these findings, a new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) emergency rule issued in September 2025 severely restricted eligibility, allowing only those with specific, active employment-based visas (H-2A, H-2B, or E-2) to hold non-domiciled CDLs. As of January 2026, the federal government was withholding $160 million in funding from California for failing to revoke over 17,000 of these licenses. Department of Transportation (.gov) +8
The crackdown in late 2025 and 2026 focused on non-citizen, non-domiciled CDL holders whose status was not verified through the federal SAVE system, which led to many such drivers becoming ineligible for renewal. SG Legal Group +2
While there is no single national total for commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) issued to undocumented immigrants, recent federal audits and state reports have highlighted significant numbers, particularly in California and led to sweeping new restrictions.
National and State Estimates
California Audit (2025-2026): A federal audit found that California issued more than 20,000 "non-domiciled" CDLs in violation of federal safety regulations. These licenses were often issued with expiration dates extending years beyond the drivers' lawful presence.
Illinois Reports: Recent state-level audits indicated that nearly 1 in 5 non-domiciled CDLs in Illinois were issued to individuals whose lawful presence had expired or was never verified.
Broad Impact: Across the U.S., approximately 200,000 non-domiciled CDL holders were identified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). While not all are undocumented, the FMCSA estimated that 194,000 of these drivers (97%) would be ineligible under new rules requiring strictly verified work visas. OnLabor +4
Recent
Policy Changes (2025–2026)
In late 2025 and early 2026, the federal government implemented "emergency" rules to end the issuance of CDLs to individuals without specific, verified work visas:
New Eligibility Rules: As of February 2026, only individuals with H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas are eligible for non-domiciled CDLs.
Excluded Groups: Previously eligible groups, including DACA recipients, asylees, refugees, and those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), are now barred from obtaining or renewing CDLs.
Revocations: States like California have already begun revoking or voiding thousands of licenses—including an initial batch of 17,000 to 17,299—due to discrepancies in work authorization and legal status.
Mandatory Verification: All states must now use the SAVE system to verify an applicant's lawful immigration status before issuing or renewing any commercial credential. Jackson Lewis +6
Context
on Standard Driver's Licenses
It is important to distinguish between Commercial (CDL) and Standard driver's licenses. While CDL requirements have tightened federally, 19 states and D.C. currently allow undocumented immigrants to obtain standard driver's licenses for personal vehicles. These standard licenses are marked "not for federal identification" and do not grant the authority to operate commercial trucks.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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