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Big changes are happening in the world of commercial trucking in Texas. As of September 29, 2025, the Texas Department of Public Safety has suspended the issuance of certain types of commercial driver licenses in response to new federal regulations. The Texas DPS suspends certain commercial driver licenses, which means that if you’ve been in a truck accident or have concerns about commercial vehicle safety on Texas roads, you need to know what’s changed.
Texas DPS has suspended the issuance of non-domicile CDLs and all CDLs to non-citizens who are refugees, asylees, or DACA recipients following an emergency rule change by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The change affects not only full commercial driver licenses but also commercial learner’s permits in these categories.
The practical impact is immediate and total. CDLs and CLPs will not be issued, renewed, or reissued for customers in the non-domicile, refugee, asylee, or DACA categories, and those with pending issuances cannot continue written or skills testing until services are restored.
The update isn’t an isolated change. Earlier in September 2025, Governor Abbott directed DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers and inspectors to start conducting English Language Proficiency reviews for commercial vehicle drivers on Texas roads. Together, these measures are part of a broader effort to crack down on commercial vehicle operators.
When you’re injured in a truck accident, one of the first questions that comes up is whether the driver is properly licensed and qualified to operate a commercial vehicle. These new regulations underscore the importance of having proper licensing and qualification standards.
Commercial trucking accidents are different from regular car accidents. The vehicles are bigger, the potential for catastrophic injuries is greater, and the legal complexity often involves multiple parties, including the driver, trucking company, and potentially the licensing authorities.
If you’ve been in a collision with a commercial vehicle, you need to ask:
With these new restrictions in place, verification of valid licensure is even more critical to determining liability and accountability.
Beyond basic licensing, commercial drivers must comply with hours-of-service regulations, medical certification requirements, and ongoing training standards.
Companies have a legal duty to verify their drivers’ credentials and make sure they meet all applicable standards before they hit the road.
The stated goal of these changes is to make Texas roads safer. For accident victims and their families, any measure that increases oversight and accountability in the trucking industry is a step in the right direction. But will these policies work? That will be measured by the number of accidents they prevent, and only qualified, trained drivers will be on our highways.
Whether these changes apply to your case or not, commercial vehicle accidents are complex and demand experienced legal representation. Evidence can disappear quickly, and trucking companies have legal teams working to minimize their liability from the moment an accident happens.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, time is of the essence. Here’s what to do:
As Texas DPS works with federal authorities to implement these new regulations, the trucking industry will have to adjust to changing compliance requirements. For those affected by truck accidents, these changes highlight the importance of investigating driver qualifications and company compliance practices.
Safer roads benefit everyone. When accidents do happen, victims deserve legal advocacy to get full and fair compensation for their injuries and losses.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Texas, our legal team has 40-plus years of experience in commercial vehicle litigation. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and your options.
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