Fake CDLs Just Got Real: Arkansas Makes It a Felony to Drive Without Proof and Proficiency

In April 2025, Arkansas made a move that sent a jolt through the entire trucking industry. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Act 604 into law—a piece of legislation that doesn’t just raise the bar for driver compliance; it hits non-compliance with felony charges, fines up to $10,000, and potential prison sentences of up to six years.

This isn’t a symbolic gesture. It’s a seismic shift in how states handle driver qualification, safety, and immigration status—and if you’re in the business of moving freight across state lines, this law just put you on notice.

Under Act 604, commercial motor vehicle operators in Arkansas must not only have a valid CDL, but also legal authorization to work in the U.S. and the ability to speak and read English proficiently. And if they don’t? They’re not just out of compliance—they’re criminals.

The Reason This Law Exists? Because Cutting Corners Has Been Killing People.

This law was born out of tragedy, not bureaucracy.

Scott Miller, a husband and father, was killed when a truck driver with no CDL and zero English skills lost control of his rig on a mountainous road in Colorado. The cargo? Steel pipes, which went flying like javelins through multiple vehicles—including the one Scott was driving.

His wife, Deann, gave heartbreaking testimony to lawmakers. She wasn’t there to talk policy. She was there because her life had been destroyed by a driver who never should’ve been behind the wheel.

Another widow told a similar story. Her husband was killed in a head-on crash by a foreign driver who had only been in the U.S. for 12 days, had no CDL, and worked for a shell company no one could trace.

These stories aren’t exceptions. They are symptoms of a system that—until now—has been full of gaps and loopholes. Act 604 is Arkansas’s attempt to shut those gaps for good.

A Loud Wake-Up Call for the Trucking Industry

The Arkansas Trucking Association wasted no time voicing its support. According to ATA President Shannon Newton, fake CDLs have been turning up during roadside inspections in Texas, and there’s no reason to believe they haven’t also made their way into Arkansas.

Newton said what many fleet operators have been thinking for years: enforcement needs more bite. This law delivers it.

But not everyone in the industry is celebrating without caution. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has warned that, while this law addresses serious safety concerns, it doesn’t fix the root problem—namely, large carriers skirting the system by outsourcing labor and bypassing proper training to cut costs.

In other words, the law is a powerful start. But it’s only one piece of a much larger fix the industry still needs.

Think This Doesn’t Affect You? Think Again.

If you’re not based in Arkansas, you might be tempted to tune this out. That would be a mistake.

This law doesn’t care about your ZIP code. If your trucks roll into Arkansas, your drivers are now subject to the law’s full force. And Arkansas is just the beginning—other states are watching closely. If you think Missouri, Oklahoma, or Tennessee won’t follow suit, think again. Regulations move fast when public safety is on the line.

The federal government is also feeling pressure to clamp down. Between safety concerns, immigration enforcement, and a rise in CDL fraud, Washington is being pushed to act—and when the feds get involved, the ripple effect hits everyone.

So What Should Fleets Do Right Now?

If you’re leading a fleet, now is the time to act. Not after you get flagged in an audit. Not after a roadside stop. Definitely not after an accident.

Start by reviewing every single driver file—especially for foreign drivers. Don’t just skim through paperwork. Verify it. Make sure your drivers’ CDLs are valid and match their documentation. Confirm their work authorization and make sure they can handle conversations with law enforcement without a translator.

Most importantly, don’t treat English proficiency as an afterthought. If a driver can’t read a sign that says “Detour ahead” or “Bridge out,” they don’t belong on the road.

And if your hiring process still includes the words “we’ll deal with it later”—fix that yesterday.

This Is Where Eclipse DOT Comes In

Let’s not sugarcoat it. DOT compliance is a beast. And if you’re not a full-time expert with insider knowledge, the chances of missing something critical are sky-high.

Eclipse DOT was built for moments like this. We help fleets clean up their compliance, launch in-house training programs, and pass audits with confidence. Not just once, but every time.

We’re not consultants with binders. We’re real-world professionals who’ve trained teams, reviewed thousands of driver files, and built ELDT programs that stand up under pressure.

When you bring us in, we don’t hand you a checklist and bounce. We get in the trenches with your team, we fix the mess, and we make sure your house is in order before the inspectors ever show up.

Our success rate? 100%. That’s not marketing fluff. That’s hard-earned reputation.

This Is More Than Regulation—This Is Leadership

Dan Greer says it best:

“Anyone can stick a logo on a truck. Real leaders make sure the people behind the wheel belong there.”

This law is more than a warning. It’s an opportunity. A moment to step up and lead the industry instead of reacting to it.

You don’t need to panic—but you do need to prepare. Because Act 604 won’t be the last law like it. And the companies who wait too long? They won’t just pay fines. They’ll pay with their reputation, their revenue, and in some cases—their entire business.

Final Thought: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

If you’re unsure about your compliance, stop guessing. That strategy doesn’t work anymore.

Book your free micro-audit with Eclipse DOT today at EclipseDOT.com. We’ll review your driver files, flag risks, and help you create a plan that protects your people, your customers, and your future.

You’ve got the trucks. We’ve got the tools. Let’s roll.

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