Plaskett Introduces Bill to Expand Commercial Driver’s License Access in USVI and Puerto Rico

V.I. Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett has introduced H.R. 5656, a bipartisan bill designed to grant the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico eligibility to issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) — a move she says will strengthen highway safety, expand workforce development, and correct a long-standing inequity that has excluded residents of the territories from obtaining these nationally recognized credentials.

A CDL is a specialized credential required across the United States for individuals operating large or heavy vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, buses, and trucks carrying hazardous materials. CDLs are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in coordination with state and territorial motor vehicle agencies to ensure that commercial drivers meet uniform national safety and operational standards.

“I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to expand access to commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, which will strengthen highway safety and bolster our local economies,” Plaskett said in announcing the measure. “This measure rectifies an inequity that has denied U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico residents these nationally recognized licenses, which are available to all other Americans. I appreciate the partnership of my colleagues Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC) and Resident Commissioner Hernández (D-PR) on this critical legislation, and I commend organizations like the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance for championing CDL access for our communities.”