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North Carolina could lose nearly $50 million [ [link removed] ] in federal highway funding [ [link removed] ] — unless state leaders act immediately to fix a broken Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program that a federal audit found dangerously lax.
On January 8, Transportation Secretary Sean  Duffy revealed that 54 % of North Carolina’s non‑domiciled trucking licenses reviewed by federal auditors were issued illegally. That means more than half — illegal.
“North Carolina’s failure to follow the rules isn’t just shameful — it’s dangerous,” Duffy warned in an official statement [ [link removed] ].
This isn’t merely a paperwork issue. It’s a serious concern for public safety and a potential financial crisis for North Carolina if state leaders don’t take prompt action.
What Happened: A Compliance Catastrophe
Here’s what the federal audit found when it sampled 50 North Carolina non‑domiciled CDLs:
27 out of 50 licenses were issued illegally [ [link removed] ] — a 54 % failure rate that is the worst in the nation.
Some licenses were valid years after the driver’s lawful presence in the U.S. expired.
Others were issued without verifying legal immigration status [ [link removed] ]— no Employment Authorization Document, no valid passport.
Two licenses went to Mexican citizens who were ineligible under federal rules because they were not in the U.S. under approved programs like DACA.
Federal law r [ [link removed] ]equires strict checks before granting any CDL to a non‑U.S. resident: verifying lawful presence, limiting expiration to match immigration status, and ensuring the licensee is eligible to work and drive safely.
North Carolina failed at every point.
That is not a minor oversight — it is a systemic breakdown.
And federal authorities are now prepared to decertify the state’s CDL program entirely if the mess isn’t fixed, meaning NC couldn’t issue any CDLs at all.
How North Carolina’s CDL System Is Supposed to Work
Getting a commercial driver’s license is not easy — and it shouldn’t be. It’s not a learner’s permit. It’s the credential that allows someone to control an 80,000‑pound vehicle at highway speed.
Correct CDL issuance [ [link removed] ]should involve:
Identity verification: Confirm applicant’s identity with government IDs.
Lawful presence verification: Confirm legal status i [ [link removed] ]n the U.S. using valid documents: Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or a foreign passport with an I‑94 form showing lawful entry.
Skills and knowledge testing: Written tests and behind‑the‑wheel demonstrations.
Expiration tied to legal status: A CDL must expire when that person’s lawful presence expires.
English language ability: Drivers must demonstrate basic English proficiency so they can read road signs, understand safety protocols, and communicate during emergencies.
States agree to these federal rules in exchange for federal highway dollars. North Carolina didn’t follow these steps consistently.
Consequences are mounting.
Safety Threat for NC Families
How can safety on our highways, our towns, our kids’ routes home from school be assured when safety protocols are being ignored?
When licensing checks are skipped, unqualified drivers end up operating massive 18-wheelers on our roads. Some never had their paperwork verified. Others were allowed to keep driving long after their legal status expired.
These trucks are sharing the road with your family — and the consequences can be deadly.
The risks get worse when drivers can’t read signs or follow emergency instructions. Federal law requires English proficiency for a reason. If someone can’t understand a detour or communicate with police, they shouldn’t be behind the wheel. Tragedies have already happened — like the fatal crash in California [ [link removed] ]where an improperly licensed immigrant driver killed three people.
We can’t wait for that to happen here.
Where Was Stein?
Governor Josh Stein is directly responsible for this disaster.
He appoints the state’s transportation leadership — including the Secretary who oversees the DMV — and holds full executive authority over how licensing rules are enforced. His administration had every tool to prevent this: the power to demand stricter vetting, launch internal audits, and ensure compliance with federal law. But instead of action, there was silence.
While illegally issued licenses piled up, Stein failed to act — putting public safety and $50 million in federal funding at risk. He owns this system.
He owns this failure. This happened under his leadership, and he must be held accountable.
Real Consequences
If North Carolina does not fix its CDL practices:
The state could lose up to $48.7 million to $50 million in federal highway funding.
Major infrastructure projects could be delayed or canceled.
Local roads and bridge improvements — funded by those federal dollars — could grind to a halt.
These are real funds that pay for real highways and safety projects. Not toys. Not fluff.
ACTION ALERT: CALL YOUR STATE REP TODAY
North Carolina voters — especially residents aged 50 and up — this is your call to arms.
Demand that your state representative:
✔ Hold an immediate oversight hearing on CDL compliance failures.
✔ Require a full audit of every non‑domiciled CDL issued in NC.
✔ Demand a public safety plan to revoke dangerous licenses and prevent future violations.
Write. Call. Email. Don’t wait.
Your highways. Your families. Your tax dollars.

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