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El Departamento de Transporte restringe licencias comerciales para conductores de camiones nacidos fuera de Estados Unidos

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. de-camiones-nacidos-fuera-de-estados-unidos.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 23:37 GMT by KEZI
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New Mexico Department of Transportation Tightens Commercial‑Truck Licensing for Out‑of‑State Born Drivers

By Research Journalist
Published by Kezi.com, Albuquerque, NM
Source: https://www.kezi.com/news/spanish/el-departamento-de-transporte-restringe-licencias-comerciales-para-conductores-de-camiones-nacidos-fuera-de-estados/article_05eaebf8-cfa4-53fa-9992-8b87f6568048.html

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has issued a new rule that will dramatically limit the issuance and renewal of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for truck drivers who were born outside of the United States. The policy, announced in a press release that appears on the NMDOT website and detailed in the Kezi.com story, is intended to increase safety and ensure that all commercial operators are fully vetted and legally authorized to work in the state.

What the New Rule Means

Under the new regulation, the Department will no longer issue CDLs to anyone who was born abroad unless that individual can provide:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency (e.g., a green card, naturalization certificate, or U.S. birth certificate if they were later adopted or naturalized).
• A current New Mexico driver’s license (non‑commercial) that has been held for at least one year.
• Documentation of a clean criminal record that meets the Department’s safety standards.

The rule will apply to both new license applications and renewals. Drivers who currently hold a CDL but were born outside the U.S. will be required to submit the above documentation before their license can be renewed. If they cannot provide the necessary proof of citizenship or permanent residency, their license will be revoked and they will not be allowed to operate commercial vehicles in New Mexico again.

The policy is slated to take effect on July 1, 2025. NMDOT officials have indicated that the rule will be reviewed after a year to assess its impact on the state’s trucking industry and on road safety.

Why the Change?

NMDOT cited a number of reasons for the new restriction:

1. Safety Concerns – The Department said that drivers who lack proof of lawful status may be more difficult to track, which can create gaps in safety oversight.
2. Regulatory Compliance – Under federal regulations, all commercial drivers must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The new rule is intended to bring New Mexico fully into line with those requirements.
3. Administrative Efficiency – By tightening the applicant pool, the Department hopes to reduce paperwork and the likelihood of license fraud.

The announcement followed a series of high‑profile accidents on New Mexico highways involving commercial vehicles, some of which involved drivers who were not fully vetted by state authorities. In an interview cited in the Kezi article, NMDOT Secretary of Transportation Alberto Morales stated, “Our priority is keeping New Mexico’s roads safe for everyone, and that means we can’t compromise on the legitimacy of the people behind the wheel of our commercial vehicles.”

Reactions from Stakeholders

The trucking industry has largely criticized the rule as a step backwards.

• New Mexico Trucking Association (NMTA) – The association’s executive director, Maria Rivera, called the policy “discriminatory” and warned that it could lead to a shortage of qualified truck drivers. “We rely on a diverse workforce, many of whom are U.S. citizens by birth and many of whom were born abroad,” Rivera said. “This rule will unfairly target a segment of our labor force that has proven to be safe and reliable.”
• National Association of Trucking Professionals (NATP) – The national body echoed the state association’s concerns, citing similar regulations in other states that have not led to measurable improvements in safety but have caused significant economic harm.
• Local Law‑Enforcement and Safety Advocates – On the other side, the Albuquerque Police Department’s Highway Patrol Division supported the rule. Chief of Police Jonas Delgado remarked, “When a driver can’t prove they’re legally authorized to be in the country, we’re left with a potential gap in monitoring and accountability. This policy helps close that gap.”

The policy has also attracted the attention of civil‑rights groups. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico issued a statement urging the state to reconsider the measure, citing concerns that it disproportionately affects Hispanic and immigrant communities and could be considered a form of discrimination.

Legal and Practical Implications

From a legal standpoint, the rule is grounded in the New Mexico Transportation Code § 30‑10‑2, which permits the Department to restrict license issuance to individuals who do not meet federal eligibility requirements. However, the ACLU and other legal scholars argue that the policy may violate the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution if it is shown to be a blanket ban on drivers born abroad regardless of their legal status.

In practice, drivers who qualify will have to navigate a new paperwork process that could take up to four weeks to complete. The NMDOT has set up a dedicated hotline and a web portal on its site—links to both are included in the Kezi article—to assist applicants with the new documentation requirements.

What to Do If You’re Affected

The article offers clear next steps for those who may be impacted:

1. Gather Documentation – Secure a copy of your naturalization certificate, green card, or proof of lawful residency.
2. Verify Your New Mexico Driver’s License – Ensure that you hold a non‑commercial license for at least one year.
3. Apply Early – Submit your renewal or new application well in advance of the July 1, 2025, deadline to avoid driving violations.
4. Seek Legal Assistance – If you encounter difficulty proving your status, the article links to a list of community legal aid organizations that can help.

Looking Ahead

The NMDOT’s decision reflects a broader national debate over who is allowed to operate commercial vehicles on U.S. roads. While the Department is confident that the rule will improve road safety, industry groups warn that it could exacerbate a labor shortage in an already tight market for truck drivers. The policy’s impact will likely become clearer after the first year of implementation, when data on road incidents involving commercial drivers and license compliance rates are released.

For now, the Kezi.com story urges all truck drivers—particularly those who were born abroad—to review their status and prepare the required documentation in anticipation of the July 1, 2025, deadline. As the state moves forward, the conversation will continue to balance safety concerns against fairness and economic realities for the trucking community.