WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, United States Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) criticized North Carolina's Democrat leadership for permitting the unlawful issuance of non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) for years.
Following the release of a U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audit of North Carolina’s policies for issuing non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). This FMCSA audit aims to protect North Carolina’s roadways by reviewing whether the state’s commercial licensing practices allowed unqualified individuals to obtain licenses, posing a hazard on the roads.
Following the announcement from U.S. DOT, Congressman David Rouzer, who chairs the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit stated, “The findings from FMCSA’s audit of North Carolina’s non-domiciled CDL program reflect a serious failure of management and lax oversight. This problem didn’t just happen overnight. It is the result of a culture of negligence developed over time which should have been identified and addressed by former Governor Roy Cooper and his administration. North Carolinians deserve better.”
The FMCSA audit of North Carolina's non-domiciled CDLs found a staggering fifty-four percent improper issuance rate.
Background:
On October 3, 2025, Representative David Rouzer (R-NC-07) introduced H.R. 5688, the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, to protect Americans’ safety, support American workers, and restore order to our commercial trucking licensing system. This legislation ends the reckless policy of granting CDLs to illegal immigrants who lack the English proficiency and road-rule knowledge needed to safely operate massive commercial vehicles on our highways.
H.R. 5688 aligns with the September 29, 2025, U.S. DOT's Interim Final Rule, “Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses,” and builds on the decisive leadership of U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, emphasizing national security and public safety risks of lax CDL issuance policies.
You can find the full text of H.R. 5688 here.
