Senate Unanimously Passes Senator Peters’ Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen National Safety System for Commercial Drivers

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ (MI) bipartisan legislation to strengthen the national safety system used for commercial drivers. Peters’ Strengthening the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) Act would protect funding for the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS), a crucial, nationwide computer system that ensures commercial drivers have only one license and one complete driver record. State driver licensing agencies utilize the CDLIS to complete safety procedures such as sharing out-of-state convictions and withdrawals, transferring the driver record when a commercial driver license holder moves to another state, and responding to requests for driver status and history. Peters introduced the bill in December 2023 with U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN). The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approved the bill in July 2024.

“This essential system is used nationwide to make sure commercial drivers are approved to operate on our roads, but recent changes to its funding source could jeopardize the system’s effectiveness,” said Senator Peters. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill would reinstate and make permanent the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ authority to operate CDLIS to improve safety in the commercial driving industry which impacts communities throughout Michigan and every state.” 

Up until 2022, states paid fees to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) to operate the system. However, a statutory review by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which oversees CDLIS, found that fees cannot legally go to AAMVA under current law. If not addressed, FMCSA will be forced to operate the program with limited available resources. Peters’ bipartisan bill would reinstate the previous funding structure through AAMVA to protect this critical system and ensure FMCSA is not forced to reallocate federal tax-payer dollars away from its own safety priorities to support CDLIS.

“AAMVA applauds the Senate for taking this crucial action on behalf of the states,” said Ian Grossman, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) President and CEO. “The Strengthening the Commercial Driver’s License Information System Act provides the states with assurances that commercial motor vehicle safety is a priority and that the necessary continuity in preserving safety on the nation’s roadways will be achieved. By moving this legislation, Congress reinforces the lifesaving role states play when they identify and take action against convicted drivers that should not be operating commercial vehicles under any circumstances. AAMVA thanks the Senate for its action in maintaining the essential elements of roadway safety, of which CDLIS plays an integral role.”

Specifically, Peters’ Strengthening the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) Act would codify existing processes for the administration of the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) in three ways:

• Authorizes the Department of Transportation to select a qualified entity to operate, collect fees for, and use fees to maintain CDLIS. The operator would remain AAMVA, and the Department of Transportation would not be charged a fee to use CDLIS.

• Clarifies that fees paid by states would go toward the purpose of operating, maintaining, developing, modernizing, or enhancing the information system.

• Ensures that the Department of Transportation (DOT) is not charged for accessing CDLIS and receives quarterly reports on fee statements.

Peters’ bill is supported by the Michigan Department of State, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), and the National Safety Council (NSC).

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