Truckers' licenses raising eyebrows

On Nov. 15, the state attorney's office issued its long-awaited opinion, saying that issuing CDLs to out-of-state students violates state and federal law. "It is apparent that the key to establish residency in Utah is a physical presence within this state and a desire to live in Utah for an extended period of time."

Still, Flowers says his department is in no hurry to enforce that, because the federal government says it is rewriting its rules and the Legislature is considering changing relevant state law, too.

Rep. Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, says that after being approached by trucking companies and talking to Flowers' department, he plans to push a bill to create a short-term CDL for out-of-state students. That would allow them to finish school and initial on-road training but then obtain a permanent CDL from their home states.

Since Alexander is the House majority leader, chances of passage are good. Also, Bramble said he likes Alexander's approach — because short-term CDLs would require proof of citizenship — and he may become the Senate sponsor of it.

Flowers said, "I think it's important that we give the Legislature the time to digest this and do what they want to do. We'll implement whatever law they want. It they want to make changes, we'll certainly do that. If they want to leave it the way it is, we'll go with the attorney general's decision."

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com

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