Oklahoma lawmakers are zeroing in on truck safety. A slate of bills targets truck drivers who are not U.S. citizens.
In recent months, the U.S. Department of Transportation has taken several steps to address concerns about illegal non-domiciled CDLs.
In September, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued an emergency rule. The rule says non-U.S. citizens cannot get a non-domiciled CDL unless they meet stricter requirements.
Non-domiciled CDLs
A year ago, Oklahoma changed its law to address concerns about non-domiciled CDLs.
Sen. Kendal Sacchieri, R-Blanchard, said the 2025 law helps make Oklahoma highways safer and supports hardworking American truck drivers.
The law makes sure only drivers who meet strict rules can drive commercial vehicles in Oklahoma. Drivers must prove they are U.S. citizens or have a valid work visa. They must also be able to speak and understand English.
Truck drivers must be able to talk with the public, read traffic signs, answer questions from officials, and fill out required reports.
Drivers with non-domiciled CDLs must have valid work visas and show proof of citizenship. Proof would include a birth certificate, naturalization papers, or a passport.
The law also bans drivers with B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visitor visas from driving commercial vehicles in the state.
Non-domiciled CDLs revisited
Sacchieri is taking another look at the issue this year. She said there is now a better understanding of widespread fraud involving non-domiciled CDLs.
Her bill, SB1222, goes further than the 2025 law. Under the bill, non-domiciled truck drivers would no longer be allowed to drive in Oklahoma. Anyone with a non-domiciled CDL or commercial learner’s permit would be banned from operating in the state.
The rule would also apply to drivers who are licensed in other states.
Trucking companies whose drivers break the rule could face fines of up to $10,000. This is up from $3,000.
“We must protect our trucking industry and Oklahomans,” Sacchieri said in a social media post.
SB20 last year was a great start!
Now we know more of the widespread fraud with non-domiciled CDLs, I have filed SB1222 for next session.
SB1222 will ban these Non-domiciled CDLs within the borders Oklahoma.
We must protect our trucking industry and Oklahomans. @atutruckers https://t.co/CncU0zKR6o— Kendal Sacchieri for Oklahoma Senate (@KendalforOK) January 7, 2026
Another Senate bill also focuses on non-domiciled truck drivers.
Like Sacchieri’s bill, SB1628 would ban anyone with a non-domiciled CDL or commercial learner’s permit from driving in the state.
The main difference is that SB1628 would allow drivers who got their licenses or permits before the law takes effect to keep using them until they expire.
Citizenship requirement
A separate Senate bill looks at citizenship rules for CDLs.
SB1243 would require all truck drivers in Oklahoma to be U.S. citizens or legally allowed to be in the country.
Before giving a license, the state would check each applicant’s legal status. If the state cannot confirm the status, it must tell the applicant.
Drivers who are not U.S. citizens must provide proof that they are legally in the country.
Newly issued IDs would also include a marker. The marker would show whether the driver is a U.S. citizen or a legally present noncitizen.
Illegal immigrants
One House bill focuses on commercial vehicles driven by people in the country illegally.
Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, sponsors HB3563. The bill would require police to arrest any truck driver who is not legally allowed to be in the U.S. Officers would also have to turn the driver over to federal immigration officials.
Any truck driven by an unauthorized driver would be taken by the state. The truck owner would also be required to pay a $50,000 fine. The fine must be paid before the owner gets the truck back.
A trucking company that owns, leases, or operates a truck driven by an undocumented driver would not be allowed to operate in the state.
All of the bills could be considered during the session that begins Feb. 2. LL
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