Texas proposes ban on foreign CDLs for state freight

Texas state police have asked lawmakers to bar Mexican and Canadian commercial driver licenses from intrastate freight routes. The proposal aims to close a gap that allows drivers to operate domestic routes without state verification.

The Texas Department of Public Safety raised the issue at a committee hearing on August 17. Officials reported that untrained drivers are allegedly buying digital Mexican licenses for $2,000 to $3,000 to bypass standard testing and background checks.

State investigators link these credentials to a rise in crashes. Since 2019, police recorded 3,727 commercial vehicle accidents outside the border area involving drivers with Mexican licenses. Those crashes caused 192 deaths and 2,735 injuries.

The measure would remove automatic recognition of foreign licenses for state routes. Carriers operating in Texas should verify that their drivers hold proper credentials before hauling domestic loads.

Industry leaders support the change. The Texas Trucking Association stated that proper licensing ensures all drivers meet minimum safety standards. The group wants to stop unqualified operators from entering the market.

Source: Transport Topics — https://www.ttnews.com/articles/texas-fraudulent-mexican-cdl