MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is backing a new federal initiative targeting fraud, licensing violations and criminal activity in the commercial trucking industry, pointing to Alabama’s existing enforcement efforts as a model for increased state and federal cooperation.
The U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal agencies announced the initiative Aug. 31 as part of a coordinated effort targeting fraudulent commercial driver training and testing, illegal trucking operations and related criminal activity. Federal officials also announced the formation of Joint Task Force Crossroads of America, which initially brings together federal prosecutors and law enforcement partners in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
The federal initiative includes the removal of 110 commercial driver’s license schools associated with more than 5,000 drivers who failed English-language proficiency tests, a nationwide audit of third-party CDL skills testers and enforcement efforts involving federal immigration and transportation authorities.
Ivey said Alabama has already pursued similar policies through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit, its cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and state requirements governing commercial drivers.
“President Trump and Secretary Duffy are taking decisive action to restore law, order and accountability to America’s trucking industry, and we are proud to help lead that effort,” Ivey said in a Sept. 2 statement.
According to the Governor’s Office, ICE personnel have participated when available in ALEA commercial vehicle enforcement assignments since Oct. 27, 2025. Since that partnership began, ALEA’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit has assisted ICE with the detention of 561 people for immigration violations encountered during commercial motor vehicle enforcement activities.
The state has also increased enforcement of federal English-language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers. According to figures released by the Governor’s Office, Motor Carrier Safety Unit troopers issued 1,022 English-language proficiency violations between Jan. 1, 2025, and Sept. 2, 2026.
Those enforcement efforts were followed by legislation approved earlier this year.
In March, Ivey signed Senate Bill 242, known as the Highway Safety and Fairness Act. The law requires commercial drivers operating in Alabama with a foreign CDL to have valid U.S. work authorization and requires CDL holders to meet English-language proficiency requirements. It also makes presenting a fraudulent foreign CDL during an enforcement encounter a criminal offense. The law takes effect Oct. 1.
Alabama does not issue non-domiciled commercial driver licenses and limits issuance of CDLs to lawful permanent residents, according to the Governor’s Office.
Alabama Trucking Association President and CEO Mark Colson said the organization supports the state and federal enforcement efforts, arguing that fraudulent or unlawful operators create safety concerns and put businesses and drivers that comply with regulations at a disadvantage.
“Alabama’s trucking industry is built on the hard work of family-owned businesses, independent owner-operators and professional drivers who play by the rules,” Colson said. “Bad actors who exploit loopholes in our regulatory systems are putting everyone at risk, and this is unacceptable.”
State officials also pointed to recent commercial vehicle fatality figures while discussing the enforcement initiative. According to the Governor’s Office, Alabama recorded 106 fatalities involving commercial motor vehicles in 2025, the state’s lowest annual total since 2021. The state reported that CMV-involved fatalities were down 24% in 2026 as of Sept. 2 compared with the same period in 2025.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said commercial vehicle enforcement is intended to ensure drivers are properly licensed and qualified to operate large vehicles.
“Commercial motor vehicle safety is about much more than conducting an inspection or issuing a citation,” Taylor said. “It is about making certain the individuals operating these large vehicles are qualified, properly licensed and capable of doing so safely.”
ALEA’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit works with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration with the stated goal of reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities involving commercial vehicles and passenger coaches.
The new federal effort expands that type of coordination nationally, with federal agencies targeting licensing and training fraud as well as criminal activity connected to commercial transportation.
Ivey said Alabama intends to continue its enforcement efforts as the federal initiative moves forward.
“We took action, we strengthened the law and took illegal operators off our highways,” Ivey said. “My message is clear: If you are here illegally, operating unlawfully or putting American lives at risk, you will be held accountable.”
