EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has suspended the issuance of non-domicile and all commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to non-citizens who are refugees, asylum seekers or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients as of Monday, Sept. 29.
This complies with an emergency rule change by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), according to the department.
The suspension also impacts the issuance of non-domicile commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) and CLPs for non-citizen refugees, asylum seekes, and DACA recipients.
“The department has never issued any type of license to asylum seekers who have not been approved for lawful presence,” Texas DPS said in a news release.
Effective immediately, the department CDL/CLPs will not be issued, renewed, or reissued if a customer falls under the categories mentioned before.
In addition, customers with a pending issuance will not be allowed to continue any written or skills testing until the services for non-domicile CDL/CLP are reinstated, the department said.
The department said it will continue to update license holders and Texans as it works with FMCSA to comply with the new rules.
More information will be posted on the DPS website.
“This action is a part of the department’s ongoing commitment to keeping Texas roads safe.
“Earlier this month, Governor Abbott directed DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Troopers and inspectors to begin conducting English Language Proficiency reviews for commercial vehicle drivers on Texas roads,” read the news release.
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