AB 1654: Vehicles: commercial driver’s licenses.

California · Assembly · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified April 22, 2026

What AB 1654 does, verified April 22, 2026

This bill proposes to add a new section to the Vehicle Code. To obtain a commercial driver's license, applicants must pass a knowledge test and driving test and meet federal standards. Additionally, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) must verify the applicant's lawful presence in the United States before issuing or renewing a license. If a person is later determined to be unlawfully present, their commercial driver's license will be revoked.

Bill journey

1IntroducedCurrent

2In CommitteePending

3First Chamber FloorPending

4Second ChamberPending

5GovernorPending

6ChapteredPending

Last action: In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted. (2026-04-20)Alert me

Author and sponsors

Asm. Carl DeMaioAuthor · California State Assembly

Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlock

Recent actions5 total · showing 5

Apr. 20, 2026	In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.
Apr. 13, 2026	In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
Mar. 16, 2026	Referred to Com. on TRANS.
Jan. 30, 2026	From printer. May be heard in committee March 1.
Jan. 29, 2026	Read first time. To print.

Latest bill textIntroduced version, January 29, 2026 · 328 words

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1654

Introduced by Assembly Member DeMaio

January 29, 2026

An act to add Section 15250.2 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1654, as introduced, DeMaio. Vehicles: commercial driver’s licenses.

Existing law prohibits a person from operating a commercial motor vehicle unless that person has in their immediate possession a valid commercial driver’s license of the appropriate class. Existing law requires a person to pass a knowledge test and driving test for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle that complies with minimum federal standards, as specified, before being issued a commercial driver’s license.

This bill would require the Department of Motor Vehicles, before issuing or renewing a commercial driver’s license, to verify the applicant’s lawful presence in the United States, as specified. The bill would require the department to revoke any commercial driver’s license issued to a person subsequently determined to be unlawfully present in the United States, as specified.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 15250.2 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

15250.2.

(a) (1) Before issuing or renewing any commercial driver’s license, the department shall verify the applicant’s lawful presence in the United States through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program or any successor program administered by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

(2) If the department is unable to confirm lawful presence, the application shall be denied.

(b) The department shall revoke any commercial driver’s license issued to a person subsequently determined to be unlawfully present in the United States, following notice and an opportunity to be heard consistent with Article 3 (commencing with Section 14100) of Chapter 3.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to conflict with or preempt federal law or regulation, including the issuance of temporary commercial driver’s licenses to lawfully present nondomiciled individuals authorized under federal law.

Text of AB 1654 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions