Emergency Restrictions on Non-Domiciled Truck Drivers

The Colorado truck accident lawyers at Bowman Law have seen firsthand the devastation families endure when they lose loved ones or suffer catastrophic injuries in preventable crashes. One recurring danger on Colorado roadways involves unqualified or improperly licensed commercial truck drivers. Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced urgent steps to protect America’s roads by restricting non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (“CDL”).

A National Safety Crisis

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced an emergency rule drastically restricting eligibility for non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits (“CLPs”) and CDLs. This action follows a nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) and a series of horrific fatal crashes caused by non-domiciled drivers.

The audit revealed multiple states — most notably California — had issued thousands of CDLs to drivers who were either ineligible under federal law or whose legal status in the United States had expired. Shockingly, more than 25% of non-domiciled CDLs reviewed in California were issued improperly, including licenses valid for years after a driver’s lawful presence expired. In one egregious case highlighted by the Transportation Department, a driver from Brazil was given endorsements to operate passenger and school buses even after his immigration status had lapsed. In another example, an Indian national killed three people when he made an illegal U-turn.

Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington were also identified as states with licensing patterns not consistent with federal regulations.

New Federal Safeguards

Under the emergency rule, non-citizens will now face far stricter requirements before they can obtain or renew a CDL. These include:

• Proof of an employment-based visa
• Mandatory verification through the federal SAVE immigration system
• Immediate revocation of noncompliant licenses

States like California have been ordered to halt the issuance of new non-domiciled CDLs, identify improperly issued licenses, and revoke or reissue them under the new rules. If they fail to comply, they risk losing hundreds of millions in federal highway funding.

Why This Matters in Personal Injury Cases

This crackdown comes in the wake of at least five fatal crashes this year alone involving non-domiciled CDL holders. For victims and their families, these tragedies are not just accidents — they are preventable disasters rooted in regulatory failures. Every time we drive, we trust that the vehicles around us are operated by qualified, safe drivers. That trust is especially important when sharing the road with 80,000-pound tractor-trailers. When states issue CDLs to drivers who are not lawfully present in the country or who have not passed the proper safety checks, that trust is broken — and the consequences are deadly.

This emergency rule helps restore confidence in our highway system. By requiring stricter immigration verification and revoking improperly issued licenses, the government is taking a proactive step to prevent unsafe drivers from operating commercial trucks. For families, this means:

• Fewer preventable crashes caused by unqualified or unlicensed drivers.
• Stronger accountability for trucking companies that cut corners on hiring.
• Greater peace of mind that those behind the wheel of commercial vehicles have been properly vetted.
• Reduced strain on emergency services and hospitals that respond to catastrophic trucking collisions.

Ultimately, this move is not about bureaucracy — it is about saving lives. Safer roads protect everyone: commuters, parents driving their children to school, cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Every family deserves to travel without the looming risk of sharing the road with someone who should never have been licensed to drive a truck in the first place.

Holding Dangerous Drivers Accountable

This issue highlights a larger truth that guides the work of our Colorado truck accident lawyers: roadway safety depends on strong enforcement of the rules that protect the public. Every improperly issued CDL represents a potential ticking time bomb. Families deserve better. When a trucking accident happens, the immediate instinct is to point the finger at the driver. While negligent drivers must always be held responsible, liability may run deeper. Dangerous drivers do not appear out of nowhere — they are put on the road by companies and, in many cases, licensed by states that failed to follow the law.

Truck drivers who operate without legal status, valid licenses, or proper training pose an unacceptable risk. They can be held civilly liable for the injuries and damages they cause. But trucking companies that hire, train, and supervise these drivers often share equal — if not greater — responsibility. Companies are legally obligated to vet their employees, confirm licensure, and ensure their drivers are fit to operate. Failing to do so opens the door to claims of negligent hiring, training, and supervision.

Additionally, states that knowingly or recklessly issue CDLs to unqualified drivers contribute directly to the dangers on our highways. While states themselves enjoy varying levels of governmental immunity from lawsuits, their failures are not beyond scrutiny.

• Federal Oversight & Penalties: As seen in Secretary Duffy’s announcement, states can face severe consequences such as the suspension of federal highway funding. These financial penalties pressure states to correct their misconduct.
• Policy & Legislative Remedies: Attorneys and advocacy groups can push for reforms, stricter oversight, and more transparent auditing to prevent states from repeating the same mistakes.
• Indirect Civil Claims: Even if states cannot be sued directly due to immunity, their conduct often bolsters claims against trucking companies. If a company relies on a state-issued license that was improperly granted, plaintiffs can argue that the company’s due diligence was inadequate — the state’s failure cannot shield the company from liability.

For victims, expanding the lens of accountability is critical. When crashes involve improperly licensed drivers, attorneys must investigate not only the driver’s conduct but also:

• Who issued the license?
• Was the driver’s immigration or visa status expired?
• Did the trucking company know, or should it have known, the license was invalid?
• Did regulators or state agencies ignore red flags that could have prevented the crash?

By asking these questions, we expose the full chain of negligence and ensure that victims are compensated by all responsible parties. The law must not allow dangerous drivers — or the systems that enabled them — to escape accountability.

Our Colorado truck accident lawyers demand accountability from drivers, companies, and agencies that put profit ahead of human life. While the emergency action is a step in the right direction, true justice requires vigilance and a willingness to hold all negligent parties responsible.

Bowman Law: Colorado Truck Accident Lawyers

At Bowman Law, our Colorado truck accident lawyers understand truck cases are unlike ordinary car crash claims. The size and weight of commercial trucks often leads to more catastrophic injuries, long-term disability, or wrongful death. These cases also involve complex federal safety regulations, aggressive corporate defense teams, and powerful insurance carriers determined to limit payouts. Our Colorado truck accident lawyers have the experience and resources to take on these challenges head-on.

We have built a reputation in trucking cases by combining deep knowledge of FMCSA regulations, skilled accident reconstruction, and relentless advocacy for our clients. From negligent hiring and driver qualification failures to violations of federal safety rules, our Colorado truck accident lawyers know how to uncover the evidence that makes a difference in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. At Bowman Law, we don’t just handle cases — we build them to withstand the most aggressive defense strategies.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident in Colorado, you deserve a law firm with a proven record of success. Please send us a message or call us at 720-863-6904 to schedule a free case evaluation. With Bowman Law on your side, you gain a team of Colorado truck accident lawyers who will fight to protect your rights, secure the compensation you need, and deliver the justice you deserve. We serve clients across Colorado’s Front Range and beyond, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Westminster, Lakewood, and Aurora.