Texas has stopped issuing, renewing, or reissuing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for refugees, asylees, and DACA recipients, citing new federal guidance on who can hold a CDL. The pause also covers non-domiciled CDLs and commercial learner’s permits. The change took effect Sept. 29, 2025, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
State officials say the move follows a federal push to tighten licensing and verification rules. Texas says noncompliant states risk losing U.S. Department of Transportation funding, and pending applications from affected groups are on hold. Reporting by regional outlets also noted that Texas framed the action as compliance with the latest federal direction.
Since November, Texas has also canceled more than 6,400 CDLs held by immigrants in categories such as refugees, asylees, and DACA recipients, according to investigations cited by local media. Those reports describe widespread license revocations that left many drivers unable to work.
Industry reaction has been mixed. Some trucking groups back stricter, uniform standards if they improve safety and reduce fraud, but they also warn that sudden rules can disrupt operations and worsen driver shortages.
What it means now: drivers in the affected categories cannot obtain, renew, or reissue a Texas CDL unless they meet the narrower federal criteria; applications and testing are paused; and thousands have already lost their licenses under the new approach. Texas DPS says it is aligning state practice with federal requirements while the broader national review of immigrant CDLs continues.
