America’s DOT tightens rules for noncitizen truck drivers

The U.S. Department of Transportation has implemented new restrictions requiring foreign truck drivers to provide unexpired passports and specific work-authorised visas, with licenses now limited to one year or the expiration date of work authorisation.

Secretary Sean Duffy has also threatened to revoke $ 160 million in funding to California after investigators found that over 145 commercial driver's licenses for noncitizens issued since June 2025 would not have been issued under the new restrictions. The state must audit its program within 30 days and present the department with its plan to comply, or the department will revoke new funding.

The policy changes follow an August 12 tragedy on Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County, where Harjinder Singh allegedly made an illegal U-turn, killing 3 people.

The crash claimed the lives of 30-year-old Herby Dufresne, 54-year-old Rodrigue Dor, and 37-year-old Faniloa Joseph, who were travelling in a minivan. 3 victims identified following deadly illegal U-turn. The minivan collided head-on with the truck during the illegal manoeuvre, killing two passengers at the scene. Driver in Fatal Florida U-Turn.

Under the new regulations, only drivers holding H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas will qualify for commercial driver’s licenses, with employment authorisation documents alone no longer sufficient.