Dalilah'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
FMCSA escalates feud with California; withholds $160M in federal funding
On January 7, 2026, FMCSA issued a Final Determination of Substantial Noncompliance against the California Department of Motor Vehicles, formally concluding that the state has failed to comply with federal standards governing the issuance of non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses. As a result, FMCSA will withhold millions of dollars in federal highway funding beginning in fiscal year 2027.This determination is notable not only for its financial impact, but fo
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Flags Pennsylvania for Non-Domiciled CDL Irregularities
FMCSA has once again turned its attention to state-level CDL practices, this time issuing a pointed preliminary determination of substantial noncompliance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania over how it has been issuing non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) and CDLs. The nine-page letter, dated November 19, 2025, reads as both a technical audit and a warning shot, signaling that the Agency’s scrutiny of lawful-presence verification and non-domiciled credentialing practices is expandi
Brandon Wiseman
Federal Court temporarily halts FMCSA’s non-domiciled CDL rule
In a major development with nationwide implications for motor carriers, foreign drivers, and state licensing agencies, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has temporarily stayed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) controversial interim final rule (IFR) restricting the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The court’s November 10, 2025 order halts the rule pending further judicial review, creating further uncertainty for the industry. Judg
Brandon Wiseman
USDOT threatens to withhold federal funding from California, Washington & New Mexico for ELP enforcement non-compliance
In a bold move underscoring the Trump administration's commitment to enhancing trucking safety and enforcing federal regulations, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has issued a stern warning to three states: California, Washington, and New Mexico. On August 26, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that these states risk losing millions in federal funding unless they immediately align with English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for commercial motor vehi
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Modifies Temporary Waiver for Paper Medical Certificates Amid NRII Transition
According to a notice published August 21, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has modified its temporary waiver, allowing interstate commercial driver’s license (CDL) and commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders, as well as motor carriers, to use paper Medical Examiner’s Certificates (MECs) as proof of medical certification for up to 60 days after issuance. This waiver, effective until October 12, 2025, addresses ongoing challenges in the transition to the National Re
Brandon Wiseman
Spotlight on non-domiciled CDLs
On August 14, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched a comprehensive investigation into a devastating Florida highway crash that resulted in three fatalities, linking the incident to possible breaches in Commercial Driver's License (CDL) issuance protocols and English language proficiency (ELP) standards. This inquiry not only exposes the perils of allowing unqualified drivers to handle heavy commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) but also intensifies the ongoing politi
Brandon WisemanNever Miss an Update
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