Texas Law Proposal Targets Fraudulent Digital Mexican CDLs

A Texas law proposal aims to bar Mexican and Canadian commercial driver licenses from intrastate freight transportation, citing concerns over fraudulently obtained digital Mexican credentials. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, these licenses allow unqualified drivers to gain automatic driving privileges in the United States without verification of commercial driving skills, training, or safety records. Since 2019, the DPS has recorded 3,727 crashes involving Mexican-licensed drivers outside the border region, resulting in 192 deaths and 2,735 injuries. The Texas Trucking Association supports the legislation, arguing that uniform licensing standards would help prevent improperly licensed drivers from operating on state highways. The issue surfaced during an Aug. 17 interim House Transportation Committee hearing, where DPS Major Omar Villareal called for legislation to close a loophole involving Mexican commercial driver licenses. Villareal said that fraudulently obtained Mexican licenses can be obtained within a week for $2,000 to $3,000 and that DPS has tracked the alleged fraud through investigations stemming from roadside inspections and crash probes. The Texas Trucking Association supports the proposed legislation, with president and CEO John Esparza stating that safety should apply to everyone.