Carolina Journal: NC delegation demands action on illegal truck driver’s licenses
Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Alarmed that North Carolina appears to have repeatedly failed to follow federal law in issuing commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) to foreign nationals, all Republican members of the state’s US House delegation are pressing Gov. Josh Stein to act immediately, warning that the state’s negligence could cost nearly $50 million in federal highway funds.
The members of Congress have signed onto a letter led by US Rep. Pat Harrigan that follows earlier reporting that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found widespread failures in North Carolina’s issuance of non-domiciled CDLs. Federal auditors determined that approximately 54% of the licenses sampled in their audit were improperly issued, including licenses granted without proper verification of lawful presence or issued beyond the expiration of legal status. FMCSA warned that the deficiencies could jeopardize $48.7 million in federal highway funds beginning in fiscal year 2027.
“When over half of the licenses reviewed don’t meet basic federal requirements, that’s a clear breakdown in oversight,” Harrigan said. “Commercial trucks are on our roads every day, alongside parents driving kids to school and people heading to work. North Carolinians should be able to trust that the system responsible for licensing those drivers is doing its job. Right now, that trust has been damaged, and state leadership needs to move quickly to restore it.”
In the letter, Harrigan and his colleagues urge the governor to revoke improperly issued licenses, conduct a comprehensive audit of the CDL program, strengthen verification procedures, and return the state to full compliance with federal safety standards. The federal audit was part of a nationwide audit of states’ processes for ensuring safe issuance of commercial truck driver licenses. Thursday’s warning letter focused on North Carolina’s handling of non-domiciled CDLs, which are issued to drivers who are not US residents, but the law requires that they be authorized to work in the United States.
TRUCK DRIVERS SOUNDED THE ALARM
The findings echo concerns raised back in August by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the nation’s largest organization representing independent truck drivers. OOIDA previously called on governors to suspend issuance of non-domiciled CDLs. At the time, the OOIDA sent a letter to Stein warning that lax enforcement posed public safety risks.
“OOIDA and truckers across America applaud Secretary Duffy for responding to our concerns by taking substantial actions to crack down on the irresponsible issuance of non-domiciled CDLs in North Carolina,” said OOIDA president Todd Spencer in a statement on Friday following the audit announcement. “For too long, loopholes in this program have allowed unqualified drivers onto America’s highways, creating unnecessary safety risks for professional drivers and the motoring public alike. These enforcement actions will also remove bad actors from the road and restore accountability to the system. The Department’s action is an important step toward safer highways and a stronger, more professional trucking industry.”
Last year, Harrigan also pointed to federal enforcement gaps highlighted by the audit. He introduced the SAFE Drivers Act, legislation that would create a single, standardized English proficiency test during CDL issuance and renewal. Federal law has long required English proficiency for commercial drivers, but the bill aims to standardize enforcement across states.
State officials have not yet announced what steps will be taken to address the federal findings, but they have 30 days to respond to the letter from the DOT. FMCSA warned that failure to correct the deficiencies could lead to escalating enforcement actions, including the loss of federal transportation funds critical to North Carolina’s highway system.