Texas Lawmakers Examine Mexican CDL Rules and Safety Concerns

The Texas House Transportation Committee held an interim hearing on Aug. 17 to review foreign CDL holders operating in the state. A significant part of the discussion focused on Mexican CDLs and concerns raised by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The hearing also included a call from the trucking industry to consider prohibiting Mexican and Canadian commercial licenses from being used for intrastate trucking operations in Texas.

No such prohibition has been adopted. The hearing was held to gather information and consider possible recommendations for future state policy.

Mexican CDLs Become a Focus of Texas Hearing

One issue that brought Mexican commercial licenses into the discussion was testimony from Texas DPS about the Licencia Federal de Conductor, Mexico’s version of a CDL.

DPS told lawmakers that it has seen an increase in people obtaining the Mexican credential in recent years.

Texas DPS Maj. Omar Villarreal pointed to Mexico’s move to digital commercial licenses in April 2021 while explaining the agency’s concerns. Villarreal alleged that the transition created opportunities for fraudulent licenses.

He told lawmakers that DPS had encountered drivers in the United States who were not Mexican citizens but allegedly obtained digital Mexican CDLs through contacts in Mexico after sending payment.

The allegation was presented by DPS as part of its testimony. It provided lawmakers with context for the agency’s concerns about verifying some Mexican commercial licenses.

Texas Previously Added Verification Requirements

Texas has already taken steps to address some of those concerns.

According to testimony and reporting from KVUE, the state began requiring additional documentation from drivers presenting Mexican commercial licenses.

Beginning in 2023, drivers with Mexican CDLs were required to provide a valid work visa along with their Mexican license.

The requirement provided law enforcement with another document to check when determining whether a driver was authorized to work and operate commercially in the United States.

The issue has particular importance in Texas because of the state’s commercial traffic with Mexico. Mexican drivers regularly cross into Texas while moving international freight between the two countries.

Cabotage and Domestic Freight Enter the Discussion

Licensing was not the only issue raised during the hearing. Lawmakers and trucking representatives also discussed cabotage.

Cabotage rules limit the domestic freight operations that foreign carriers can perform in the United States.

Mexican and Canadian commercial drivers can enter the country under certain international transportation arrangements. However, that authority generally does not allow foreign carriers to pick up and deliver domestic freight between two points within the United States.

Concerns were raised during the hearing about whether some foreign operators could be hauling loads intended for domestic U.S. operations.

The committee heard discussion about whether current enforcement is enough to identify those operations.

Trucking Industry Calls for Restrictions on Mexican CDLs

The possibility of additional restrictions became more specific during testimony from trucking industry representatives.

Texas Trucking Association President John Esparza testified before the committee about foreign commercial drivers and enforcement.

The trucking industry urged state lawmakers to consider prohibiting commercial licenses issued by Mexico and Canada from being used for intrastate trucking operations in Texas.

Such a policy would focus on freight movements that take place entirely within the state rather than international loads entering or leaving the United States.

The proposal was presented as one possible way to address concerns about foreign operators hauling domestic freight.

However, the recommendation came from industry representatives during testimony. Texas lawmakers did not vote to establish such a restriction during the hearing.

Safety Data Also Under Review

Safety was another part of the committee’s work.

The Texas House Transportation Committee was directed to evaluate foreign and non-domiciled CDL holders operating in the state. That includes examining whether their presence correlates with an increase in traffic incidents.

Lawmakers were also directed to review state and federal regulations. English-language proficiency standards were among the issues included in that review.

The committee could use the information gathered during the hearing to make recommendations aimed at public safety and commercial vehicle enforcement.

However, the hearing itself does not establish that drivers holding Mexican or other foreign CDL are less safe.

The claims and concerns discussed during the meeting were testimony presented for lawmakers to consider as they review the issue.

No Ban on Mexican CDLs Has Been Introduced

Despite the discussion of possible restrictions, Texas has not adopted a ban on Mexican CDLs.

The Aug. 17 meeting was an interim committee hearing. These hearings allow lawmakers to collect information before deciding whether legislation or other policy changes should follow.

The proposal involving Mexican and Canadian licenses was one recommendation presented during that process. It specifically concerned their use for intrastate operations in Texas rather than a blanket prohibition on foreign drivers entering the state with international freight.

Any new restriction would require additional government action before taking effect.

For now, the hearing puts Mexican commercial licenses, cabotage, intrastate freight, and foreign driver enforcement among the trucking issues Texas lawmakers could consider for future policy changes.