Tennessee Truckers Required To Prove U.S. Citizenship To Keep CDLs

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –

Last week, the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (DSHS) announced that over 8,000 Tennessee truckers will be required to verify U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the country or face a downgrade to their license status to ensure compliance with federal requirements under President Trump.

According to DSHS, approximately 8,800 of the 15,000 Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders in the state will receive notice by mail requesting citizenship or lawful presence documentation that was not required when their licenses were originally issued. 

These updated requirements are intended to ensure the state is in full compliance with a Trump Executive Order which mandated federal rule changes to require all CDL records to include proof of citizenship or lawful presence.

“This action is designed to ensure that all CDL records meet today’s state and federal requirements are in line with the Presidential directive. Drivers whose files predate modern documentation rules will receive instructions on how to complete their records,” said Russell Shoup, Assistant Commissioner of the Driver Services Division. 

Those drivers affected will need to report in-person to a state Driver Services Center to provide one acceptable document for proof including a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization, amongst other approved documents.

CDL holders who receive the letter but fail to provide the required documents by April 6, 2026, will lose their CDL but retain their regular driver’s license until proof is provided, state officials said.

Not every CDL holder will receive the letter, and if they do not, no action is necessary.

“This is not intended to be a punitive measure at all,” said Shoup. “It’s just to update our files to make sure we’re compliant.”

Tennessee’s move to ensure CDL compliance comes after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched a nationwide audit of state licensing practices last year after a rash of deadly auto accidents were caused by illegal aliens who were issued CDLs from liberal sanctuary states like California, Washington, and New York. 

Duffy has threatened to revoke the federal funding of several states for not complying with the new federal standards for the issuance of CDLs to non-citizens and English proficiency requirements. 

About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.