The federal government was so prompted by a spate of fatal big-rig crashes on U.S. roadways by truckers who aren’t legal American residents that Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Sept. 26 announced an emergency action to restrict the eligibility of foreign-domiciled drivers to obtain commercial drivers licenses and learner’s permits.
The ruling was designed to strengthen regulatory oversight on the way states issue commercial drivers licenses, the the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) said. A nationwide review launched in June by the agency found widespread non-compliance in multiple states, particularly California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington.
