The Trucking Association Executives Council (TAEC) says coordinated federal and state enforcement efforts over the past year have significantly reshaped the U.S. trucking industry, with new regulations and oversight expected to affect more than 194,000 non-domiciled commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders.
The findings are detailed in TAEC’s “Trucking Resurgence: The Fight for Fairness and Safety Progress Report,” released on July 23, which reviews progress made since the organization introduced its 2025 Trucking Resurgence action plan aimed at strengthening safety, improving regulatory compliance and addressing fraudulent practices across the industry.
TAEC represents executives from state trucking associations across the United States, including organizations in Arizona, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Iowa, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Texas.
One of the report’s main areas of focus is the enforcement of cross-border trucking regulations. According to TAEC, federal agencies have expanded inspections related to English-language proficiency, cabotage restrictions and commercial operations near U.S. borders while increasing coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
As a result, the organization says approximately 3,200 visas have been revoked in connection with cabotage enforcement. Cabotage laws generally prohibit foreign trucking companies from transporting domestic freight between two locations within the United States, except under limited circumstances.
The report also points to increased enforcement against unauthorized commercial trucking operations in border regions, arguing that stricter oversight is helping create fairer competition for carriers that comply with federal regulations.
Another major development involves non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses, which have become a central issue in recent trucking policy reforms.
TAEC estimates that more than 194,000 existing non-domiciled CDL holders—approximately 97% of all current license holders in this category—could eventually become ineligible under new federal eligibility requirements. The report notes that several states have already begun revoking licenses that were issued improperly.
Also, regulators have audited the CDL programs and non-domiciled licensing procedures of all 50 states, as they work to improve verification processes and ensure licenses are issued to qualified applicants only.
The original recommendations from TAEC included tightening standards for non-domiciled CDLs, improving verification of immigration and work authorization documents, increasing information sharing among federal and state agencies, and strengthening enforcement of fraudulent licensing practices.
The report also summarizes a number of regulatory developments introduced over the past year, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) revised eligibility rules for non-domiciled CDLs, increased enforcement of English-language requirements, visa revocations associated with cabotage violations, and state efforts aimed at combating CDL fraud.
According to TAEC, more than 20 states have enacted or proposed legislation addressing issues such as CDL integrity, English-language proficiency, oversight of non-domiciled licenses, cargo theft and commercial driver qualifications. Other states have updated enforcement policies to align with recent federal initiatives.
FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs said the agency remains committed to removing unsafe operators while supporting carriers that comply with safety regulations. He emphasized that most trucking companies and professional drivers operate responsibly, but regulators will continue identifying bad actors and closing regulatory gaps that threaten highway safety.
The report also highlights several enforcement outcomes recorded over the past year, including:
3,200 visa revocations related to cabotage enforcement.
550 fraudulent CDL schools shut down.
704 high-risk carrier investigations.
430 carriers that voluntarily ceased operations.
Between 60 and 70 carriers shut down by regulators.
More than 27,000 drivers placed out of service for English-language proficiency violations.
76 non-compliant electronic logging device (ELD) platforms removed from the FMCSA registry.
426 ELD platforms prevented from entering the marketplace.
More than 194,000 non-domiciled CDL holders expected to become ineligible under new federal rules.
Audits of CDL programs conducted in all 50 states.
$217 million in federal investment dedicated to CDL integrity and safety initiatives.
Nearly 10,000 CDL training providers removed from the federal Training Provider Registry.
According to TAEC, these combined enforcement efforts demonstrate how rapidly federal and state policies are transforming the regulatory landscape for cross-border trucking, commercial licensing and carrier compliance across the United States.
