In the wake of terrible accidents in both Florida and California, the crackdown on non-domiciled CDL (commercial drivers license) holders and English Language Proficiency (ELP) is in full swing, and US Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary, Sean Duffy, is now taking aim at cargo owners and freight brokers.
The latest DOT policy requires cargo owners and freight brokers to perform their due diligence and ensure drivers meet ELP standards.
As it relates to non-domiciled CDL holders, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) amended its documentation requirement in order to obtain a CDL. If not a US citizen or permanent resident, a CDL driver must have an H-2A, H-2B or E-2 visa. CDLs for asylum seekers, asylees, refugees or DACA recipients will no longer be issued and current CDL holders under these provisions will be revoked.
California already has had $40M in Federal Highway Funds withheld for their lack of compliance and another $160M is at risk if corrective action is not taken before the end of the month.