"President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April reinforcing English requirements for commercial vehicle drivers. In September, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced an emergency rule to exclude asylum seekers, refugees and other immigrants from holding these licenses, arguing it would improve safety on the roads. About 200,000 commercial drivers with valid work permits were expected to lose their licenses and jobs as a result."
""The best thing we can do for safety is to retain experienced, well-compensated professional drivers," he said. "Experienced drivers are more knowledgeable, just more ready to handle those unexpected situations. And the problem is we can't retain them.""
"About 700,000 drivers have commercial licenses in California to operate large vehicles ranging from semi-trailers to oil tankers and school buses, according to the DMV. A federal court in Washington, D.C. halted the FMCSA rule in November after unions, drivers and others sued. The administration is preparing a permanent regulation and reviewing public comments."
An executive order and a subsequent FMCSA emergency rule tightened English and immigration-related requirements for commercial driver licenses, potentially excluding asylum seekers, refugees and other immigrants. Approximately 200,000 drivers with valid work permits faced license cancellations and job losses under the rule. Concerns were raised that the workforce has become politicized and that no reliable evidence directly links immigration status to driving safety. Recommendations emphasized improving wages and conditions to retain experienced, well-compensated drivers who better handle unexpected situations. A federal court temporarily halted the rule, and regulators are preparing a permanent regulation while reviewing public comments.
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