CDLs to foreign drivers bug you? How about CDLs to 'No Name Given'?

A multi-agency enforcement operation along Interstate 40 in western Oklahoma has spotlighted growing concerns about the validity and legality of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued by certain states to undocumented immigrants, including at least one CDL listing the driver’s name as “No Name Given.”

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced Monday that Operation Guardian, conducted jointly by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulted in the apprehension of 125 undocumented immigrants from nine countries operating commercial vehicles on the state’s highways.

The ‘No Name Given’ Problem

The operation uncovered what transportation security experts are calling a glaring vulnerability in the nation’s commercial licensing system: valid CDLs issued with placeholder names rather than verified identities.

According to California Department of Motor Vehicles policy, if an identity document presented by an applicant lists “No Name Given” in the first name field, DMV officials are required to transfer that exact text onto the driver’s license, including commercial licenses authorizing operation of 80,000-pound tractor-trailers.

“If New York wants to hand out CDLs to illegal immigrants with ‘No Name Given,’ that’s on them,” Governor Stitt said. “The moment they cross into Oklahoma, they answer to our laws.”

The policy raises significant questions about compliance with federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act requirements, which mandate that states verify the identity and lawful presence of CDL applicants. Legal experts suggest that licenses issued without verified names may violate both federal transportation regulations and Real ID Act standards.

Federal Emergency Action

The Oklahoma operation comes just three days after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced emergency restrictions on non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and CDLs, citing “a direct threat to the safety of every family on the road.”

An ongoing federal audit has revealed systemic problems across multiple states. In California alone, more than 25 percent of non-domiciled CDLs reviewed were determined to be improperly issued, according to the Department of Transportation.

“What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American,” said Secretary Duffy. “Licenses to operate a massive, 80,000-pound truck are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers — oftentimes illegally.”

The federal review identified California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington as states with CDL-issuance patterns inconsistent with federal regulations.

Fatal Consequences

The enforcement actions follow a pattern of deadly crashes involving improperly licensed commercial drivers. In August, three Americans were killed when an undocumented Indian national driving a commercial truck attempted an illegal U-turn on a Florida turnpike, causing a minivan to crash into the trailer.

The driver, Harjinder Singh, had illegally entered the United States in 2018 and was released on immigration bond in 2019. Despite ongoing immigration proceedings, he subsequently obtained commercial driver’s licenses from both Washington state in 2023 and California in 2024.

Federal officials report at least five fatal crashes since January involving non-domiciled CDL holders whose licenses may have been improperly issued.

The Sanctuary State Debate

The Oklahoma operation has reignited debate over so-called “sanctuary state” policies that provide driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. Proponents argue these policies improve road safety by ensuring all drivers are tested and insured. Critics contend they undermine immigration enforcement and create security vulnerabilities.

California offers “AB 60” driver’s licenses for “individuals who are unable to provide proof of legal presence in the United States, but who meet California DMV requirements and are able to provide proof of identity and California residency.” This process includes a checklist of required documents, a driver education course if you are 15 to 17 ½, a knowledge test, and a behind-the-wheel drive test.

Regarding names on licenses, California DMV officials defend their policy, stating they are required to transcribe names exactly as they appear on identity documents presented by applicants. The agency does not track the citizenship status of its CDL population and issues “limited term” commercial licenses to foreign nationals. Their process for issuing commercial learner’s permits and CDLs can be found here.

However, critics argue that accepting identity documents listing “No Name Given” as a legal name fundamentally undermines the purpose of identity verification.

Legal and Security Implications

Transportation security analysts warn that the issuance of CDLs without full legal names creates multiple vulnerabilities:

Identity Verification Failures: CDLs issued to “No Name Given” make it virtually impossible for law enforcement to conduct background checks, verify driving records, or confirm that the license holder is the same person at a traffic stop or weigh station.

Interstate Commerce Complications: The Full Faith and Credit Clause typically requires states to recognize licenses issued by other states, but legal scholars question whether this applies to licenses that fail to meet federal identification standards.

Real ID Act Concerns: While standard driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants are explicitly exempted from Real ID compliance, commercial licenses carry different federal requirements due to interstate commerce and public safety implications.

Criminal Exploitation Risk: Security experts note that licenses without verified names could facilitate identity fraud, human trafficking operations, and other criminal enterprises that exploit commercial transportation networks.

The 125 arrests made during Operation Guardian involved commercial drivers from India, Uzbekistan, China, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Mauritania. Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials indicated many were operating with licenses from states identified in the federal audit.

What’s Next

Secretary Duffy’s emergency order requires states to immediately invalidate improperly issued CDLs and prevents unsafe foreign drivers from renewing licenses that don’t meet federal standards. States face potential loss of federal highway funding for non-compliance.

The Department of Transportation expanded its audit to all 50 states and is working with the Department of Homeland Security to cross-reference CDL databases with immigration records.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma officials indicate Operation Guardian represents the beginning of sustained enforcement efforts along major transportation corridors in the state.

“This is about keeping Oklahomans safe,” Governor Stitt emphasized, suggesting similar operations may be conducted on other interstate highways passing through the state.