A final FMCSA rule effective March 16 restricts nondomiciled CDL eligibility to only three visa categories (H-2A, H-2B, and E-2), eliminating eligibility for asylum seekers, refugees, TPS holders, DACA recipients, and general EAD holders, according to a Holland and Knight analysis. FMCSA estimates 194,000 current nondomiciled CDL holders will lose renewal eligibility over the next five years as their licenses expire, with annual issuance dropping from roughly 200,000 to approximately 6,000.
Operator takeaway
If any of your drivers hold nondomiciled CDLs, their renewal eligibility may have already changed as of March 16. Pull your driver files and verify CDL status now, not when renewal is denied.