foreign-born truck drivers

President Donald Trump announced an initiative to help veterans obtain commercial driver’s licenses, expanding a military experience waiver from 12 to 24 months and creating a fast-track program for veterans without prior experience. The policy aims to replace foreign-born truck drivers, who make up 18% of the industry, with veterans as part of broader immigration restrictions, including canceled licenses for 28,000 immigrant drivers and a rule limiting visa eligibility for commercial licenses.

President Donald Trump announced an initiative to help veterans obtain commercial driver’s licenses, expanding a waiver period and creating a fast-track program. The policy follows the administration’s decision to pause license renewals for foreign-born truck drivers, resulting in the cancellation of about 28,000 licenses. The industry faces a shortage of 60,000 to 80,000 drivers.

A new rule by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) under the Trump administration has placed nearly 200,000 immigrant truck drivers at risk of losing their commercial licenses. The policy, effective since March, bars many foreign-born drivers from renewing licenses despite prior legal driving history, with lawsuits challenging the rule ongoing.