The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has released new rules about how commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) are issued to foreign drivers. The Interim Final Ruling on Restoring Integrity in the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Driver’s Licenses, takes effect October 28, 2024.
Citing several fatal crashes involving non-domiciled/foreign drivers and what is described as States failing to administer the issuance of nondomiciled credentials to foreign-domiciled applicants properly, the new rule was issued without comment.
Under the new rule states must follow new steps before issuing a CDL to someone who does not permanently live in the U.S.
Under the new rule states must follow new steps before issuing a CDL to someone who does not permanently live in the U.S. The stated purpose of the rule is to keep the roads safer and make sure that every driver behind the wheel of a commercial truck is properly trained and tested.
Specifically, the new Rules requires that states ensure that foreign domiciled drivers possess an unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) issued by USCIS or an unexpired foreign passport accompanied by an approved I-94 form documenting the applicant’s most recent admittance into the United States
For employers, this update is important. If you hire foreign drivers, you will need to be sure their CDLs were issued under the new guidelines. For the driving community as a whole, the change builds trust that all commercial drivers—no matter where they are from—are meeting federal safety requirements.
At Rapid Screen 123, we know staying compliant with DOT rules can feel overwhelming. That’s why we are here to help. From DOT drug testing to DOT physicals, our team makes it easy for both drivers and employers to meet every requirement.
Call us today at 980-265-0566 to make sure your business is DOT-compliant and ready for these new changes.