The initiative directs the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to review how states are managing these special licenses.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, has announced the launch of a nationwide audit into state-level practices regarding the issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), as part of what he has dubbed the “Pro-Trucker Regulatory Plan.”
With this audit, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) aims to ensure that these licenses—granted to individuals who are legally present in the country but do not reside in the issuing state—are being issued properly and safely, in accordance with the law.
“Our audit is intended to protect the safety of families on the road and uphold the integrity of American truckers’ CDL licenses,” Duffy stated.

Audit objective: are states following legal guidelines?
The initiative, led by Duffy, instructs the FMCSA to evaluate how states are administering these special licenses. The goal is to identify potential patterns of abuse, ensure compliance with federal regulations, and confirm that only qualified, properly documented, and trained drivers are operating commercial vehicles.
Non-domiciled CDLs are issued under strict federal conditions. Applicants must demonstrate legal presence in the U.S. and pass the same tests required of U.S. citizens. These licenses are commonly held by foreign drivers with work visas operating for cross-border companies, who do not have a fixed residence in the United States.
However, with new review protocols and tighter requirements now in place for drivers, the purpose of these audits is to ensure that non-domiciled CDLs are being used in accordance with regulations. The USDOT has recently raised concerns about whether all states are properly enforcing these procedures. “We are looking into the possibility that unqualified individuals may be obtaining licenses, posing a risk to roadway safety,” Duffy warned.

A thorough audit, says USDOT
So far, the USDOT has not disclosed which states are under review or released any preliminary findings, but it has assured that the audit will be comprehensive and could lead to new guidelines or changes in federal policy.
This effort is part of a broader initiative stemming from an executive order by President Donald Trump, aimed at strengthening safety and integrity in the transportation industry. Duffy stressed that the goal is not to penalize lawful truckers, but to safeguard the system: “We want to support legal, qualified drivers while preventing unsafe or untrained individuals from operating commercial vehicles.”
The USDOT reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside states and providing support to ensure that all CDLs—regardless of the driver’s immigration status—meet the highest standards of road safety for everyone.

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