Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
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
CDL Drug Testing Faces Uncertainty After Trump Executive Order
It's official. December 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order directing the Attorney General to "take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process related to rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act in the most expeditious manner."For the cannabis industry, it's a landmark moment. For the trucking industry, it's the beginning of a very uncertain chapter, one that hinges entirely on how the Department of Health and Human Services, the
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
FMCSA Proposes Pilot Programs for Hours of Service Flexibility
As announced previously by USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy as part of the agency's Pro-Trucker Initiatives, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is moving ahead with two new pilot programs. Sheduled for publication in the Federal Register on September 17, 2025, FMCSA is proposing two pilot programs aimed to address longstanding challenges faced by property-carrying truck drivers: unreasonable detention times at shippers and receivers, traffic congestion, and the rigid constraints of curren
Brandon Wiseman
DOT Proposes Adding Fentanyl to Drug Testing Panel
In a significant move to address the escalating opioid crisis, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend its drug-testing regulations under 49 CFR Part 40. Published in the Federal Register on September 2, 2025, the proposal aims to add fentanyl—a potent synthetic opioid—and its metabolite norfentanyl to the DOT's drug testing panels for both urine and oral fluid specimens. This change comes amid rising overdose deaths linked to fentan
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA and NHTSA Move to Officially Withdraw Speed Limiter Mandate for Heavy Trucks
As announced by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy earlier this month, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced the withdrawal of their long-standing proposal to mandate speed limiters on heavy commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This decision, detailed in Federal Register notice 2025-13928 to be published on July 24, 2025, ends years of debate over requiring electronic speed governors on trucks with a
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA to pursue additional changes to the DataQs system
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is set to publish a notice in the Federal Register on July 1, 2025, outlining proposed revisions to the DataQs system, which it originally proposed back in September of 2024 but is now refining based on public comments received. This proposal aims to improve the impartiality, timeliness, transparency, and overall fairness of the Request for Data Review (RDR) process, addressing long-standing concerns from motor carriers, drivers, and indust
Brandon Wiseman
USDOT Announces New Initiatives to Support America’s Truck Drivers in 2025
On June 27, 2025, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a comprehensive set of initiatives, pilot programs, and regulatory updates aimed at supporting America’s truck drivers. Announced in response to the President’s Executive Order, these measures from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) focus on improving truck parking, providing regulatory relief, enhancing driver flexibility, and modernizing resources. "Truckers keep America running. Whi
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA issues rash of proposed rules
On May 27, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) filed two finalized rules and eighteen proposed rules for public inspection in the Federal Register, set for publication on May 30, 2025. According to the agency, these updates strengthen commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety, streamline driver qualifications, and reduce regulatory burdens while ensuring compliance with federal standards. What follows is a brief summary of each regulatory action, including effective dates f
Brandon WisemanNever Miss an Update
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