Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL) - Final rule

Sep 18, 2026

Final rule of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) amending 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384 to restore integrity in the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) system for non-domiciled individuals. The rule limits eligibility for nondomiciled Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) and CDLs for foreign-domiciled applicants to those holding specific, verifiable employment-based nonimmigrant status subject to enhanced consular vetting. It reaffirms and makes minor revisions to the September 29, 2025 interim final rule, addressing safety verification gaps and reducing administrative noncompliance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages60

Reading Time2 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Availability of Rulemaking Documents

Comments on the Information Collection

Executive Summary

Abbreviations

Legal Basis

Discussion of the IFR and Comments

Overview of the IFR

Comments and Responses

International Impacts

Section-by-Section Analysis

Regulatory Provisions

Guidance Statements and Interpretations

Regulatory Analyses

E.O. 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

Paperwork Reduction Act

Privacy

7044 Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 30 / Friday, February 13, 2026 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384 [Docket No. FMCSA–2025–0622] RIN 2126–AC98 Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL) AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department of Transportation (DOT) . ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: FMCSA amends the Federal regulations for State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) issuing commercial driving credentials to non-domiciled individuals. This final rule reaffirms, with minor changes, the provisions of the interim final rule (IFR) published on September 29, 2025. Specifically, this final rule limits eligibility for nondomiciled Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) for foreign-domiciled individuals to those who hold specific, verifiable employment-based nonimmigrant status. This rule reaffirms the IFR requirements, aligning the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs with FMCSA’s statutory mandate to ensure the fitness of all drivers who operate a CMV. By limiting eligibility to statuses subject to enhanced consular vetting of driver history and interagency screening, FMCSA restores the integrity of the CDL system, closes a significant safety gap, and enhances the safety of the traveling public. DATES: This final rule is effective March 16, 2026. Comments on the information collection in this final rule must be submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by March 16, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Thomas, Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Safety, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001; (202) 366– 2551; [CDLRulemaking@dot.gov.](CDLRulemaking@dot.gov. If you)[ If you](CDLRulemaking@dot.gov. If you)[ ](CDLRulemaking@dot.gov. If you)have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Dockets Operations at (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FMCSA organizes this final rule as follows: I. Availability of Rulemaking Documents II. Comments on the Information Collection III. Executive Summary IV. Abbreviations V. Legal Basis VI. Discussion of the IFR and Comments A. Overview of the IFR B. Comments and Responses VII. International Impacts VIII. Section-by-Section Analysis A. Regulatory Provisions B. Guidance Statements and Interpretations IX. Regulatory Analyses A. E.O. 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures B. E.O. 14192 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation) C. Congressional Review Act D. Regulatory Flexibility Act (Small Entities) E. Assistance for Small Entities F. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 G. Paperwork Reduction Act H. E.O. 13132 (Federalism) I. Privacy J. E.O. 13175 (Indian Tribal Governments) K. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 I. Availability of Rulemaking Documents To view any documents mentioned as being available in the docket, go to [https://www.regulations.gov/docket/](https://www.regulations.gov/docket/)[ ](https://www.regulations.gov/docket/)[FMCSA-2025-0622/document](FMCSA-2025-0622/document and)[ and](FMCSA-2025-0622/document and)[ ](FMCSA-2025-0622/document and)[choose the document to review. To view](choose the document to review. To view)[ ](choose the document to review. To view)comments, click the IFR, then click‘‘Document Comments.’’ If you do not have access to the internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Dockets Operations in room W58–213 of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590–0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. , Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 366–9317 or (202) 366–9826 before visiting Dockets Operations. II. Comments on the Informat

FAQs

What does the final rule change for issuing non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs?

It amends FMCSA regulations so that SDLAs may issue and renew nondomiciled CLPs and CDLs only when foreign-domiciled applicants hold specific, verifiable employment-based nonimmigrant status, aligning eligibility with enhanced vetting requirements.

How is this final rule related to the interim final rule published on September 29, 2025?

The rule reaffirms the interim final rule’s provisions with minor changes, including revisions made for clarity, while continuing to address the same eligibility and safety-verification objectives.

What safety gap does the rule aim to address?

It closes a critical safety gap caused by licenses being issued when safety fitness cannot be adequately verified and by reliance on Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), which has proved administratively unworkable and led to widespread noncompliance.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Bill Black