The Texas Department of Public Safety has suspended the issuance of certain commercial driver licenses to comply with an emergency rule change by federal regulators, according to a news release Monday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on Friday announced an emergency action to restrict who is eligible for a non-domiciled commercial learner’s permit and driver’s license.
The state move was made in response to a nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which uncovered “both a catastrophic pattern of states issuing licenses illegally to foreign drivers, as well as the fact that even if the current regulatory framework is followed, it can fail,” according to a news release by the association.
The decision by FMCSA means DPS is now suspending the issuance of non-domicile CDLs and all CDLs to refugees, asylees, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, recipients. This will also impact the issuance of learner’s permits in the state, according to the agency.
“The department has never issued any type of license to asylum seekers who have not been approved for lawful presence,” the release said.
According to the news release, applicants with a pending issuance will not be allowed to continue any written or skills testing until services for non-domicile licenses and permits are reinstated.