Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
The Open Door Policy That Broke American Trucking
Indiana’s revocation of nearly 2,000 non-domiciled CDLs has sparked national attention, but focusing only on immigration misses the deeper issue. This article argues that the real problem is a decades-long erosion of entry standards across the trucking industry, driven by deregulation, self-certification, and a misplaced “driver shortage” narrative. From carrier authority and broker licensing to ELDT, ELDs, and medical certification, the system increasingly relies on trust where verification is needed. The result is an industry flooded with underqualified participants and a compliance framework struggling to keep up.
Rob Carpenter
CVSA's 2026 International Roadcheck Targets ELD Tampering During May 12-14
CVSA's 2026 International Roadcheck (May 12-14) focuses on ELD tampering enforcement with enhanced penalties up to $16,000 per violation and automatic 10-hour out-of-service orders for tampering violations.
Brandon Wiseman
Dalilah's Law Moves Through Committee With Key Revisions on Foreign Dispatch and CDL Eligibility
Delilah's Law has advanced through committee with key revisions — including sharper language on foreign dispatch services. Here's what the amended bill means for fleet compliance programs right now.
Brandon Wiseman
California to Cancel 13,000 Non-Domiciled CDLs
Following a federal audit and regulatory enforcement action by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has begun canceling thousands of previously issued non-domiciled CDLs after federal officials concluded that many of the licenses were issued in violation of federal eligibility requirements.The situation illustrates a broader regulatory shift occurring at the federal level regarding non
Brandon WisemanDalilah's Law: What Fleets Need to Know About the Proposed CDL Restrictions
Senator Jim Banks has introduced the Dalilah Law, a bill that would prohibit states from issuing CDLs to individuals who are not U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or holders of certain work visas — and tie compliance to federal DOT funding. Here's what fleet owners and safety directors need to know.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Issues New Guidance Clarifying Non-Domiciled CDL Final Rule Requirements
On February 18, 2026, FMCSA issued new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) clarifying its recently finalized rule tightening the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The guidance provides critical details for states, carriers, and drivers navigating the March 16, 2026 effective date of the final rule, and confirms that the agency is taking an aggressive posture toward enforcing lawful presence requirements and correcting past licensing deficiencies. While much of the atte
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Issues Final Rule on Non-Domiciled CDLs
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a new final rule on non-domiciled Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs) and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). Scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on February 13, 2026 (Docket No. FMCSA-2025-0622, RIN 2126-AC98), this rule largely reaffirms the provisions of the September 29, 2025, Interim Final Rule (IFR) with minor clarifications, despite intense legal scrutiny, a court-imposed stay, and thousands of public commen
Brandon Wiseman
Compliance Theater: When Documentation Replaces Judgment
Many fleets are proud of their documentation. They document driver qualification. They document training. They document inspections, audits, incidents, and corrective actions. They keep complete driver files, run required reports, and maintain records they can be produced quickly when requested. Internally, that documentation often becomes a source of confidence. The thinking goes, if something goes wrong, the paperwork will show we did what we were supposed to do.That belief is understandable.
Brandon Wiseman
Compliance Theater and the Illusion of Protection
In trucking litigation, safety programs often become evidence. This article explores “compliance theater,” where check-the-box compliance creates records but fails to control risk.
Brandon WisemanNever Miss an Update
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