WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a move aimed at tightening oversight of American highways, U.S. Representative Dave Taylor (R-OH-02), whose district includes Ross, Pickaway, and Hocking counties, joined forces with Representative Jefferson Shreve (R-IN-06) to introduce H.R. 8640, the Non-Domiciled CDL Reporting Act.
The legislation seeks to close what the lawmakers describe as a “dangerous loophole” that currently allows individuals without lawful presence in the United States to obtain and use Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to operate heavy commercial vehicles.
Closing the “Non-Domiciled” Loophole
Under the current system, some states issue “non-domiciled” CDLs—licenses granted to individuals who reside in a different state or country. However, states are not currently required to report the immigration status of these applicants to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
“For too long, states have handed out non-domiciled CDLs to illegal aliens, demonstrating a complete disregard for the safety of American families,” Representative Taylor said in a statement. “I’m proud to introduce this bill to close the gaps in our reporting systems and get these dangerous drivers off our roads.”
Technical Solutions for Public Safety
The proposed bill leverages an existing federal resource: the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. Managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), SAVE provides real-time immigration and citizenship status to government agencies.
If passed, the Non-Domiciled CDL Reporting Act would:
- Grant Access: Require USCIS to give the FMCSA access to the SAVE system.
- Mandate Data Sharing: Force states to transmit all non-domiciled CDL applicant data to federal authorities.
- Cross-Reference Status: Direct the FMCSA to run all applicants through the SAVE system to confirm they are lawfully present in the U.S.
- Flag Violators: Require the FMCSA to report any unlicensed or unlawfully present drivers directly to immigration authorities.
A Local Perspective
Representative Taylor, who serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, brings a unique background to the bill. Before his time in Congress, he served as a prosecutor and as the President of his family’s concrete business, where he gained firsthand experience with the trucking and logistics industry.
“This is about public safety and basic accountability,” added Congressman Shreve. “If someone is being issued a commercial driver’s license in the United States, we should know they are lawfully eligible to receive it.”
The bill now moves to the committee stage, where lawmakers will weigh the impact of the reporting requirements on state DMVs and federal law enforcement.
