H.R. 5656 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Sep 30, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryU.S. territories gain commercial driver license authority
Right now, only states and Washington, DC, can issue commercial driver's licenses—the special licenses needed to operate big trucks and buses. This bill would let the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico issue these licenses too, following federal safety standards. The federal government would work with these territories to make sure they meet all the requirements, and after five years, could reduce their highway funding if they don't comply.
How it affects you
If you live in the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico and want to become a truck or bus driver, you'd be able to get your commercial license locally instead of elsewhere. The change mainly affects commercial drivers and the territories' ability to manage their own licensing programs.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 30, 2025)
This bill makes the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico eligible to issue commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards. Under current law, only states and Washington, DC, may issue CDLs. FMCSA must work with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on obtaining full compliance with CDL requirements.
Following a five-year grace period, apportioned funds from the Highway Trust Fund may be withheld from the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico for failure to comply with CDL requirements.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5656
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to grant the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico eligibility to issue commercial driver's licenses, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Del. Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI-At Large) · Introduced Sep 30, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Dec 1, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.”