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AB 1654

Vehicles: commercial driver's licenses.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carl DeMaio

AB 1654 would require California DMV to verify lawful presence via SAVE before issuing or renewing a CDL and revoke CDsLs issued to individuals later found unlawfully present, with

In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.
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Bill Summary · AB 1654

Summary of AB 1654 (2025-2026) — Vehicles: Commercial Driver’s Licenses

Purpose and intent

AB 1654 would require the California 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 (CDL). If lawful presence cannot be confirmed, the CDL application would be denied. The bill also requires DMV to revoke any CDL issued to a person later determined to be unlawfully present in the United States, with due process protections. The measure is designed to ensure CDL eligibility aligns with federal and state lawful presence rules.

Key provisions and changes

  • Verification requirement (new Section 15250.2 of the Vehicle Code):

    • Before issuing or renewing any CDL, DMV must verify the applicant’s lawful presence in the U.S. using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program or a DHS successor program.
    • If DMV cannot confirm lawful presence, the CDL application must be denied.

  • License revocation (CDL revocation provision):

    • DMV must revoke any CDL that was issued to an individual subsequently determined to be unlawfully present in the United States.
    • Revocation follows an administrative process: notice and an opportunity to be heard, consistent with procedures in Article 3 (commencing with Section 14100) of Chapter 3.

  • Federal preemption and exceptions:

    • The bill states that nothing in the new section should conflict with or preempt federal law or regulation, including federal provisions that allow temporary CDLs for certain lawfully present nondomiciled individuals.

Who is affected

  • CDL applicants and holders in California: Individuals seeking or renewing commercial driver’s licenses would be subject to immigration status verification.
  • California DMV: Responsible for implementing the SAVE verification, denying applications when lawful presence cannot be confirmed, and revoking CDsLs when later findings determine unlawful presence.
  • Potential impacts on employers and sectors relying on CDLs: Sectors dependent on CDL-holding drivers (e.g., freight, public transportation) could experience changes in driver eligibility processes and potential license revocations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative status:
    • Introduced January 29, 2026 by Assembly Member DeMaio; co-sponsor listed (Carl DeMaio).
    • As of the latest available updates: referred to the Transportation Committee, with a hearing postponed in April 2026.
  • Effective date: The bill text does not specify an immediate effective date in the excerpt provided; typically, if enacted, an implementation timeline would follow adoption and any specified regulatory readiness period.
  • Process for revocation: Any revocation would require notice and a hearing consistent with the existing administrative process (Article 3, Section 14100 et seq. of Chapter 3).

Fiscal and policy considerations

  • Fiscal impact: The bill indicates “Appropriation: NO” in the digest, suggesting no explicit new state appropriation is attached to the bill. However, implementing SAVE verification and related processes could entail agency workload and potential ancillary costs.
  • Policy alignment: The measure aligns California law with federal verification practices for immigration status in the context of driving privileges, while preserving compliance with federal law and temporary licenses where applicable.

Bottom line

AB 1654 would tighten eligibility for California CDLs by mandating U.S. lawful presence verification through SAVE for issuance and renewal, and by mandating revocation of CDsLs issued to individuals later found unlawfully present, subject to due process. It preserves federal preemption considerations and temporary licenses where authorized by federal law. The bill is in committee review with no explicit state funding attached, and would affect CDL applicants and DMV operations if enacted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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