The U.S. Department of Transportation closed a major loophole that allowed for unqualified illegal immigrants to obtain commercial driver’s licenses and operate heavy trucks without any verification of prior driving record or history, directly addressing an issue that extends to Maine highways.
The policy change was announced by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on Feb. 12, 2026 which codified requirements to end issuance of non-domiciled commercial drivers licenses (CDL) to individuals without proper documentation or background check verification. The move officially took effect on Mar. 15, 2026, with licensing agencies required to adhere to tightened nationwide standards to protect public safety yesterday.
Last year, non-domiciled drivers were the cause of 30 fatalities in 17 different incidents, according to Department of Transportation data.
In 2025, at least 30 states issued CDLs to ineligible drivers, which were being passed through based on Employment Authorization Documents. The issue here is that these documents do not outline or provide any access to foreign driver history or traffic records to include prior accidents.
Under new rules set forth by President Trump’s administration, applicants are now required to present an unexpired foreign passport and Form I-94, also restricting eligibility to holders of specific temporary visas. Additionally, checks must be conducted via the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.
“For far too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing systems, wreaking havoc on our roads. This safety loophole ends today. Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000 pound big rig”, stated Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
The Transportation Department’s momentous emergency action issued in September 2025 set the stage for recently enacted reform, aligning with new enforcement of English-language proficiency standards for commercial drivers under the Trump administration.
In December 2025, Transportation Secretary Duffy warned New York that it was at risk of losing $73 million dollars in federal transportation funds unless it complied with new requirements within 30 days. At the time, it was identified that 53 percent of New York’s non-domiciled CDL holders were issued unlawfully or illegally. The state-level deficiencies exemplified in New York only mirrored broader issues through newly closed federal loopholes.
The consequences in Maine were evident as licensing gaps contributed to increased Maine State Police patrols following multiple truck drivers blowing through “Road Closed” signage on Route 35 in Lyman. One driver was placed “out of service” after failing to produce a valid license or required medical card, after a subpar language proficiency test performance. Regulations at the state and federal level in Maine mandate all CDL holders to be able to read and speak English, a common-sense requirement, considering that is the language Maine’s traffic and hazard signs are posted in.
State Rep. Wayne Parry (R-Arundel) priorly illustrated, “It’s obvious that the road is closed. It’s not like you don’t know. If you can’t read the signs, you shouldn’t be driving a tractor-trailer.” Rep. Parry has also advocated for larger penalties to deter unsafe driving violations, even recommending that fines reach $1 million against the companies that permit and license this behavior.
The finalized rule took effect on Mar. 15, 2026 and the Department of Transportation emphasizes stricter enforcement and accountability for fraudulent carriers will continue. In combined action between the federal government and local law enforcement, the objective stands in addressing systemic risks that lead to death and injury on our roadways.
