Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act
The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act would change how U.S. states issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to people who are not domiciled in the state. While the default rule remains that CDLs are issued only to people domiciled in the issuing state (or in states that do not issue CDLs), the bill creates a narrow, federally-regulated exception for certain non-domiciled individuals who are domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction or in U.S. territories. Under this framework, foreign-domiciled applicants with approved immigration status and an employment-based visa (or territory residents with proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status) could obtain a CDL, subject to specific safeguards: verification of status, a temporary license period (up to 1 year or until the end of authorized stay), required record-keeping, and federal reporting requirements to the Secretary of Transportation. The goal appears to be enhancing CDL access in controlled circumstances while maintaining federal oversight to protect the integrity of licensure.
Key Points
- 1Default rule preserved: States may issue a CDL only to someone domiciled in the issuing state or in a state that does not issue CDLs (with limited exceptions described below).
- 2Foreign-domiciled pathway (employment-based): States may issue a CDL to someone domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction if, among other conditions, the person has valid U.S. immigration status, holds a visa tied to legitimate employment, undergoes verification of status before issuance/transfer/renewal, receives a license for up to 1 year (or until their authorized stay ends, whichever is shorter), and the state keeps and can share license issuance records with the Secretary within 48 hours (records kept for at least 2 years).
- 3Territory-domiciled pathway: For residents of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands, the applicant must provide acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, status must be verified before issuance, and the state must retain records and share them with the Secretary within 48 hours (also for at least 2 years).
- 4Federal role and regulations: The Secretary of Transportation would prescribe the implementing regulations governing these exceptions and the associated record-keeping and reporting requirements.
- 5Time-limited licenses and oversight: Licenses issued under the foreign-domiciled pathway are temporary (up to 1 year or until the end of authorized stay) and subject to ongoing federal oversight to ensure compliance.