Texas DPS Resumes Non‑Domiciled CDL Issuance for H‑2A Workers

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced on June 1, 2026 that it has resumed issuing non‑domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and commercial learner permits to individuals holding H‑2A work visas. The program had been suspended since July 2022 after changes in federal regulations left uncertainty about whether states could issue CDLs to non‑resident workers. After receiving approval from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Texas is now reinstating the program so that agricultural employers can legally hire seasonal drivers for farm operations without requiring those workers to establish residency.

Under federal rules, a non‑domiciled CDL allows a qualified applicant who is not a U.S. resident to drive commercial vehicles while working temporarily in the United States. DPS explained that only individuals with certain immigration statuses are eligible. In addition to H‑2A agricultural workers, the agency accepts applicants with visas such as H‑1B, F‑1 student visas and certain asylum, humanitarian parole or refugee classifications. Applicants must present a valid foreign passport, a current visa and a Form I‑94 showing admission to the United States. DPS will also accept a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or an unexpired Social Security Administration letter demonstrating lawful presence. Because of federal restrictions, some immigration categories that previously could obtain non‑domiciled CDLs—such as those with certain employment authorization categories—are no longer eligible.

DPS stresses that existing non‑domiciled CDL holders can continue using their credentials until they expire. However, only those who qualify under the updated eligibility list will be able to renew after June 1. Applicants must still pass all required knowledge and road skills exams and meet the same medical and age requirements as resident drivers. Non‑domiciled CDLs are valid only for the duration of the applicant’s lawful presence in the United States, and they cannot be transferred to other states.

The resumption of non‑domiciled CDL issuance is important for Texas’s agricultural sector, which depends on seasonal labor for planting and harvest. Without the program, employers would have difficulty hiring legal drivers to operate tractors, combines and other heavy equipment on public roads. DPS advises employers and workers to contact their local driver license office or visit the agency’s website for detailed instructions on required documents and scheduling appointments. By restoring this pathway, Texas aims to balance compliance with federal immigration and safety regulations while supporting the needs of the state’s economy.