Two major USDOT announcements. On June 27, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy posted two major announcements on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website:
First, Secretary Duffy set out a “pro-trucker package” (https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-unveils-pro-trucker-package-part-president-trumps), key elements of which include –
- Spend $275 million to expand truck parking
- Withdraw the proposed mandatory speed limiter rulemaking
- Make FMCSA’s online tools accessible on mobile devices
- Renew agency focus on unlawful double brokering
Second, Secretary Duffy announced a nationwide FMCSA audit of states issuing non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) (https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/president-trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-announces-nationwide-audit-states).
To quote Secretary Duffy, “The open borders policies of the last administration allowed millions to flood our country – leading to serious allegations that the trucking licensing system is being exploited. Today, we are launching a nationwide audit to get to the bottom of this,”
The FMCSA audit is related to ongoing concerns that foreign truck drivers are abusing cabotage rules or are using B-1 visas to obtain U.S. employment, which is not legal under that visa program (https://www.prepassalliance.org/cabotage-anyone/). This audit follows the recent USDOT order that drivers who fail to comply with FMCSA’s longstanding English-language proficiency (ELP) requirements will be placed out-of-service (https://www.prepassalliance.org/english-proficiency-added-to-cvsa-out-of-service-criteria/).
Stay tuned – these things take time. In an interview, Secretary Duffy acknowledged that these changes are not immediate. For example, the precise number of truck drivers using illegally obtained CDLs is unknown. Similarly, updating websites, building new truck parking, and withdrawing rulemakings require multiple steps. But Duffy said these two major announcements underscore a “pro-trucker” attitude at the USDOT.