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119-s-4398119th Congress

CDL Act

Sponsored By: Senator Lankford, James [R-OK]

Introduced

Summary

Would require a citizenship indicator on state driver’s licenses and ID cards. It would also condition federal recognition of Commercial Driver’s Licenses on stricter identity and immigration-status checks.

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  • Residents and regular license applicants would face a visible citizenship marker on any state driver’s license or ID issued 60 days after enactment. This creates a new, explicit field showing whether the holder is a U.S. citizen or not.
  • Commercial drivers and their employers would see federal acceptance of state-issued CDLs tied to stronger document checks. States would have to verify identity details and confirm the applicant is a U.S. national, a lawful permanent resident, or a covered nonimmigrant with a valid, unexpired visa.
  • State motor vehicle agencies would need to add verification steps before issuing CDLs and update procedures and recordkeeping. The bill also carves out certain Real ID minimum issuance standards for CDLs, giving states limited flexibility on those technical rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

New federal checks for commercial licenses

If enacted, the bill would bar Federal agencies from accepting a State-issued commercial driver's license for any official purpose unless the State verified identity data and immigration status before issuing the CDL. States would have to verify the information described in section 202(c)(1) and confirm the applicant is a U.S. national, a lawful permanent resident, or a specified nonimmigrant with a valid, unexpired visa. The bill would also say some Real ID minimum issuance standards do not apply to these CDLs. This would limit which State CDLs federal agencies accept and could affect some commercial drivers and employers.

State IDs must show citizenship

If enacted, the bill would require State-issued driver's licenses and ID cards issued 60 days after enactment to indicate whether the holder is a U.S. citizen or is not a U.S. citizen. States would add that mark when issuing new or replacement licenses and ID cards on or after that date. This would make citizenship status visible on qualifying state IDs. This change could raise privacy and access concerns for some people.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lankford, James [R-OK]

OK • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Sen. Armstrong, Alan [R-OK]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 4/28/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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