May 10, 2026 - WASHINGTON — Last week, Senator Tim Scott released the following:

U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the No Licenses for Illegal Drivers or Truckers Act, which would require applicants for driver’s licenses, commercial driver’s licenses, and personal identification cards to be lawfully present in the United States. This bill would withhold federal highway funds from states that fail to comply and redirect those funds to states in compliance.

”America continues to suffer the consequences of Biden’s open border policies. Illegal immigrants on the road have posed a serious public safety threat in our communities as we’ve tragically seen in South Carolina. The No Licenses for Illegal Drivers or Truckers Act would improve accountability to make sure states confirm the lawful presence of driver’s license applicants and help protect the communities we call home,” said Sen. Scott

“Millions of illegal immigrants flooded into the United States under the Biden administration’s radical open border policies. Since many illegal immigrants do not speak English and cannot read road signs, these drivers make roads less safe for the law-abiding public,” said Sen. Barrasso. “While Wyoming already prohibits illegal immigrants from getting driver’s licenses, 19 states and the District of Columbia continue to issue personal and commercial driver’s licenses without verifying legal status. My legislation will ensure states follow the law and prioritize public safety.”

Joining Sens. Scott and Barrasso are Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).

Background:

Several states such as California, New York, and Washington do not require evidence of lawful presence for an applicant to receive a driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, or personal identification card. Illegal immigrants, many who do not understand English to be able to read road and traffic signs, are obtaining licenses and posing a safety risk to communities. This oversight has led to lethal accidents involving American citizens, often children at play.

The No Licenses for Illegal Drivers or Truckers Act would:

• Require states to verify lawful presence of each applicant applying for a license or identification card
• Direct the Department of Transportation to withhold 10% of the incompliant state’s appropriated funds from federal highway funding programs
• Redistribute incompliant states’ funds to states in compliance
  
  Source: Senator Tim Scott