FMCSA to withhold $73M in federal funds from New York
FMCSA withheld $73.5 million from New York after auditors found a 53% failure rate in non-domiciled CDL issuances. Here is what that audit means for your driver qualification files and what you need to do under 49 CFR Part 391.
Brandon Wiseman
Iowa English Proficiency Law Progresses Through State Legislature: What SF 2426 Means for Carriers
Iowa Senate File 2426 would establish one of the nation's first comprehensive state-level English proficiency requirements for CDL applicants, with carrier penalties up to $10,000 per violation. Here's what Iowa carriers need to know now.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Extends NRII Waiver Through October 11, Continuing Paper Medical Certificate Relief
FMCSA has extended its NRII waiver through October 11, 2026, allowing continued reliance on paper medical certificates despite the agency’s push toward a fully electronic system. The extension confirms what the industry is already experiencing: delays in state posting of medical certifications are still creating gaps between qualification and documentation. Until those gaps close, carriers must manage both paper and electronic records to stay compliant.
Brandon Wiseman
Indiana Revokes Nearly 1,800 Non-Domiciled CDLs Under New State Law
Indiana revoked 1,790 non-domiciled CDLs under new state law, establishing precedent for nationwide enforcement with $50,000 employer penalties and felony charges.
Brandon Wiseman
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
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 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 WisemanNever Miss an Update
Get in-depth DOT compliance articles and breaking regulatory news delivered right to your inbox
Join thousands of safety professionals staying informed on DOT compliance