The biggest headline out of the Department of Transportation this week is Secretary Sean P. Duffy’s emergency action cracking down on non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses following a string of fatal crashes involving foreign drivers. According to Duffy, an ongoing nationwide audit uncovered illegal licensing practices and regulatory failures across several states, most notably California. Effective immediately, non-citizens seeking commercial licensing now face stricter requirements, including needing an employment-based visa and passing a mandatory federal immigration status check. California faces immediate enforcement: if it fails to comply and revoke improper licenses within 30 days, it risks losing up to $160 million in federal highway funds, doubling in year two. Duffy was blunt about the stakes, stating, “California’s reckless disregard is frankly disgusting and an affront to the millions of Americans who expect us to keep them safe…We owe it to the American people to ensure only lawful, qualified drivers are operating big rigs on our highways.”

This action follows troubling data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration showing at least five separate fatal accidents since January involving non-domiciled CDL holders. Other states identified include Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington—all now subject to further audit and potential penalties. For American citizens, this move aims to bolster road safety and restore confidence in interstate commerce. For trucking businesses and logistics providers, expect tighter compliance protocols and potential disruptions as drivers and states adjust to the new rules. State and local governments are under direct pressure to track, revoke, and recertify non-domiciled CDLs accurately and rapidly. Internationally, this signals a harder stance on licensing, with direct impacts for foreign workers and companies relying on cross-border transport personnel.

It’s not the only headline from DOT this week. There’s also a new interim final rule shifting certification for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Airport Concession DBE programs, removing race- and sex-based presumptions. Now, all applicants must demonstrate eligibility based strictly on economic criteria, which means current certified DBEs are being reevaluated and may be decertified if they don’t meet the new standard. That’s a major shift for businesses, especially those operating in transportation infrastructure or airport concessions, as they need to review their compliance and certification status immediately.

Duffy’s department continues to grapple with fallout from the shutdown impacting funding for essential air service and FAA-led orders reducing flights at forty airports. There’s a new reporting framework so airlines must provide full transparency on causes for flight delays and cancellations, and refund obligations remain intact regardless of circumstances. DOT is also modernizing aviation consumer complaint systems to help citizens get answers and track resolutions faster.

For listeners wondering what’s next, keep an eye on upcoming deadlines: California and other flagged states have less than a month to bring their licensing in line or face financial penalties. Certified DBEs and ACDBEs should expect notices about recertification under new race-neutral rules before the year’s end, impacting their eligibility for federal contracts. For everyone else, DOT’s public comment period is open for feedback on these new regulatory changes—so anyone affected or concerned can speak up.

To get more details on these announcements, visit transportation.gov or check with your state DOT for how these changes might affect your community or business. If you’re eligible to provide public input, don’t miss the chance to make your voice heard. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for the latest updates that impact your roads,...