FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!!

Contact: Media Relations Department

Subject: Professional Trucking Association Group Applauds FMCSA Final Rule Closing Foreign Driver Loophole.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Professional Trucking Association Group (PTAG) today issued a formal statement in strong support of the final rule announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This critical regulation is a victory for highway safety, professional standards, and the millions of American truck drivers who share our nation’s roads.

For too long, a significant regulatory gap has allowed foreign drivers to obtain Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) without the rigorous background and safety screenings required of domestic operators. By presenting only an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)—which does not track driving history or safety violations..thousands of individuals with unverified records have been permitted to operate 80,000-pound commercial vehicles.

“The issuance of non-domiciled CDLs to unvetted drivers has been a growing crisis for our industry,” said a PTAG spokesperson. “While American drivers are held to the highest standards through national databases for DUIs, reckless driving, and crash involvement, this loophole allowed foreign drivers with unknown histories to bypass those same safety benchmarks. This rule finally ensures that if a driver’s safety history cannot be verified, they cannot hold a CDL in this country.”

The PTAG believes this "course correction" is long overdue. For years, certain interests have used the narrative of a "driver shortage" to justify the recruitment of inadequately trained or unverified labor. This has not only compromised public safety but has also eroded the professional standards and wages of the hardworking men and women who make trucking their career.

Key Impacts of the New Rule:

 * Mandatory Screening: Foreign drivers must now undergo consular and interagency screening before being eligible for a CDL.

 * Verification of Records: States are now prohibited from issuing licenses based solely on employment documents without a verified driving history.

 * Enforcement of Standards: The rule reinforces English language proficiency and strict adherence to federal safety regulations.

The PTAG joins other industry advocates, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the Small Business Transportation Coalition (SBTC), in calling for swift implementation.

We specifically urge the Department of Transportation to hold state motor vehicle agencies accountable, ensuring that every state is in full compliance with these new federal safety mandates.

“Trucking is the backbone of the American economy, but that backbone must be built on a foundation of safety and professionalism,” the statement concluded. “We thank Secretary Duffy and the current administration for listening to the concerns of professional drivers and taking decisive action to protect the motoring public.”

About the Professional Trucking Association Group:

The Professional Trucking Association Group represents the interests of commercial drivers and motor carriers across the United States, dedicated to promoting safety, efficiency, and the preservation of the trucking profession.