The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has suspended some commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), leaving only one option available. This decision is being experienced by citizens of the state of Texas with the arrival of October, specifically those with non-resident CDLs, as well as licenses for certain non-citizens, including refugees, asylum seekers, and DACA recipients.
This new measure affects both individual drivers and the industries that depend on them, such as commercial transportation companies, trucking or delivery services, and state logistics operators. Although the motivation for implementing this new measure seeks to comply with federal regulations, the truth is that it will have a direct impact on the Texas economy.
Changes in driver’s licenses in Texas
Created in 2025, the Department of Public Safety (DSP) has as its main function to support the efforts of Member States in assessing, preventing, diagnosing, addressing, and responding to threats (traditional, new, and emerging) that public safety faces in the countries of the Americas.
It has been precisely this department that has activated the suspension of commercial driver licenses (CDLs), leaving only one type of license available. This October, it is the turn of the state of Texas, where non-resident CDLs and licenses for specific non-citizens, including refugees, asylees, and DACA beneficiaries, are no longer available.
Why has this decision been made?
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), this suspension is a response to the need to bring Texas licensing practices into compliance with federal law, as well as to standardize administrative processes and secure the CDL system. The goal is to achieve federal compatibility regarding driver’s licenses, eliminating any barriers.
How does it affect individual drivers?
This measure comes as a cold shower in many households. The main ones affected are families whose activity entirely depends on one of their members being able to drive. In light of this new situation, some will be forced to move, while others will have to go through the immigration process (which is becoming longer, more arduous, and frustrating for applicants) in order to remain eligible to obtain a license.
The impact of changes to the CDL not only affects individual drivers
This suspension has more impact than it might seem at first glance. It is not only individual drivers who are being affected, but also the commercial transportation sector. Trucking companies, delivery service providers, and state logistics operators are also targets of this new measure.
By eliminating the previously existing licenses that allowed practically all eligible people to drive, transportation companies have reduced the number of personnel, which will lead to delays in product deliveries and increased operational costs for road transport and delivery service companies.
Inevitably, the elimination of a class of license will create problems for staff and operations across various sectors throughout the state.
How should one proceed from now on?
According to the authorities, the attitude of both transportation companies and individual drivers should be collaborative. However, it would be a good option to consider maintaining alternative licenses and anticipating delays. Nevertheless, reality does not indicate that this will happen, so to avoid bigger problems, it is advisable that both individual drivers and transportation companies become familiar with the new policies in order to carry out an effective transition to the new licensing system.
The measure has not even been in place for a month, but the impact it will have on individual drivers, their households and families, transportation companies, and the state of Texas’s economy in general is evident. We will have to see if the need to comply with federal laws has the desired effect in practice.