What are the Emergency DOT Rules for Non-Citizen CDLs?
On September 26, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced an emergency action to drastically restrict who is eligible for a non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) and commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).
Moving forward, non-citizens will not be eligible for a non-domiciled CDL unless they meet a much stricter set of rules, including an employment-based visa and undergoing a mandatory federal immigration status check using the SAVE system. The rules also require the expiration date for any non-domiciled CLP or CDL to match the expiration date of the Form I-94/94A or to expire in one year, whichever is sooner.
This is in response to an ongoing national audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The nationwide audit will continue for states that FMCSA has not yet fully reviewed.