U.S. Senator James Lankford has introduced legislation that would require REAL IDs to display whether the holder is a United States citizen and set national standards for commercial driver’s licenses.
The Citizenship Documented License, or CDL Act, would require states to show on the face of a REAL ID whether the person is a U.S. citizen or not, using information already verified during the application process.
The bill would also establish uniform eligibility standards for REAL ID-compliant commercial driver’s licenses, aiming to align licensing requirements across states and strengthen accountability for commercial drivers.
“States already verify citizenship or lawful presence when issuing REAL IDs, but it is not shown on the ID card,” Lankford said. “This bill makes certain that citizenship status is shown on every REAL ID.”
Lankford said the legislation is intended to improve election integrity, strengthen confidence in federally recognized identification and increase highway safety.
He also pointed to concerns involving individuals who are in the country unlawfully operating large commercial vehicles, saying families in Oklahoma and across the country want clearer citizenship verification standards for safer roads.
Federal law already requires states to verify citizenship or lawful presence before issuing a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card, but that determination is not currently displayed on the credential.
Lankford said the bill would create a more consistent national system for identity verification while addressing varying standards for commercial driver’s licenses across states.
