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AB-1654 • 2026

Vehicles: commercial driver’s licenses.

Vehicles: commercial driver’s licenses.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
DeMaio
Last action
2026-04-20
Official status
In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or resource requirements for the DMV.

Commercial Driver's Licenses: Verification of Legal Status

This law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to verify an applicant’s lawful presence in the United States before issuing or renewing a commercial driver’s license, and it allows the DMV to revoke licenses if someone is found to be unlawfully present.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to verify an applicant's lawful presence in the U.S. before issuing or renewing a commercial driver’s license.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People applying for or renewing a commercial driver’s license
  • The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Terms To Know

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A special type of driving license needed to drive large trucks, buses, and other big vehicles that carry goods or people.
Lawful presence
Being in the United States legally according to immigration laws.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone loses their license due to unlawful presence.
  • It is unclear how this law will be enforced and what resources the DMV will need to implement it.
  • This bill has failed passage in committee, so its current status is uncertain.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-20 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.

  2. 2026-04-13 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  3. 2026-03-16 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on TRANS.

  4. 2026-01-30 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 1.

  5. 2026-01-29 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1654, as introduced, DeMaio.
Vehicles: commercial driver’s licenses.
Existing law prohibits a person from operating a commercial motor vehicle unless that person has in their immediate possession a valid commercial driver’s license of the appropriate class. Existing law requires a person to pass a knowledge test and driving test for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle that complies with minimum federal standards, as specified, before being issued a commercial driver’s license.
This bill would require the Department of Motor Vehicles, before issuing or renewing a commercial driver’s license, to verify the applicant’s lawful presence in the United States, as specified. The bill would require the department to revoke any commercial driver’s license issued to a person subsequently determined to be unlawfully present in the United States, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF