Florida Imposes Strict New Rules for Commercial Drivers

In a move to improve road safety, the Florida Senate has passed a bill that will impose strict new requirements on commercial motor vehicle operators in the state. The legislation, which takes effect in 111 days, mandates that all carriers with a Florida lane verify the immigration status and commercial driver's license (CDL) credentials of their drivers or face hefty penalties. According to FreightWaves, the bill was prompted by a fatal crash on the Florida Turnpike last August that killed three people. The driver, Harjinder Singh, was found to have entered the U.S. without authorization in 2018 and was operating a commercial vehicle under an out-of-state CDL. Under the new law, carriers will have 111 days to ensure all their Florida-based drivers are authorized to work in the U.S. and hold a valid CDL issued by Florida or another state. Failure to comply could result in a $50,000 fine per violation and a ban on operations within the state. The legislation is intended to close loopholes that have allowed unauthorized and unqualified drivers to operate commercial vehicles on Florida's roads. 'Every carrier with a Florida lane has 111 days to get this right - or face serious consequences,' the FreightWaves report states. 'This is a game-changer for the industry, and fleets need to act fast to ensure compliance.' The new rules will have widespread impacts on the maritime supply chain, as many ocean carriers, freight forwarders, and drayage providers operate trucks in Florida. Industry groups are advising members to review their driver verification processes and make any necessary changes to avoid penalties under the new law.