Indiana Senate Advances Bill to Crack Down on CDLs Held by Undocumented Immigrants

The measure aims to reform how Indiana processes Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) and revoke licenses of drivers suspected of being in the country illegally.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Indiana Senate has advanced an amended version of House Bill 1200, a measure that would reform how the state processes Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs). One key amendment would allow the Indiana BMV to revoke CDLs if the federal government suspects a driver is in the country illegally. The bill also requires CDL applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English and imposes penalties on trucking companies that employ drivers without valid CDLs.

Why it matters

The bill comes in the wake of two deadly crashes in Indiana this month involving truck drivers who are now in ICE custody, raising concerns about public safety on the state's roads and highways. Supporters say the legislation is necessary to ensure only qualified, legal drivers are operating commercial vehicles in Indiana.

The details

The amended bill, authored by State Rep. Jim Pressel, a former cross-country truck driver, would set up a process for the Indiana BMV to revoke CDLs in coordination with the Attorney General's Office and federal authorities like Homeland Security. It also requires CDL applicants to demonstrate English proficiency, which supporters say has not been consistently enforced. The bill imposes penalties, including a $50,000 fine, on trucking companies that employ drivers without valid CDLs.

  • In the wake of two deadly crashes in Indiana this month involving truck drivers in ICE custody.
  • The Indiana Senate advanced the amended version of House Bill 1200 on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • The Senate is expected to pass the bill on its third reading on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Jim Pressel

State Representative (R-Rolling Prairie) and author of HB 1200, who is a former cross-country truck driver.

Michael Crider

State Senate Majority Whip (R-Greenfield) and author of an amendment to the bill.

Gary Langston

President/CEO of the Indiana Motor Truck Association.

Mike Braun

Governor of Indiana.

Todd Rokita

Indiana Attorney General.

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What they’re saying

“Safety is our number one priority in Indiana. We want to protect all Hoosiers on the roadway.”

— Jim Pressel, State Representative (fox59.com)

“There have been a lot of unfortunate situations occur accident-wise and fatality-wise involving big trucks driven by people who shouldn't be driving big trucks. I just really look forward to addressing this and making Indiana's highways more safe.”

— Gary Langston, President/CEO, Indiana Motor Truck Association (fox59.com)

“As the Crossroads of America, Indiana must do all we can to ensure our roads are safe. In addition to strengthening our CDL licensing process, Indiana will revoke the CDLs of drivers who are illegal immigrants and penalize companies who employ them. Through strong enforcement, we will keep our roads and highways safe.”

— Mike Braun, Governor of Indiana (fox59.com)

“We've seen horrible accidents on our roads — terrible tragedies that ended in fatalities — all caused by illegal aliens driving commercial vehicles they had no business operating. Although the state already has the power to revoke a license for a public safety risk, we have worked directly with legislators and the governor on proposed statutory language to make license revocation mandatory in cases of illegal aliens, since the federal government has already determined these aliens pose serious public safety risks.”

— Todd Rokita, Indiana Attorney General (fox59.com)

What’s next

The Senate is expected to pass the bill on its third reading on Tuesday, February 25, 2026. If that happens, the House will still need to sign off on the Senate's changes in order for the bill to head to the governor's desk.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to strengthen Indiana's CDL licensing process and revoke the licenses of drivers suspected of being in the country illegally, in an effort to improve public safety on the state's roads and highways. The bill's supporters say it is a necessary step to ensure only qualified, legal drivers are operating commercial vehicles in Indiana.