How the New DOT CDL Rule Impacts Carriers & What Smart Fleets Are Doing Now
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced an emergency rule that changes how states issue and verify non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and learner permits (CLPs).
This isn’t just an administrative update; it’s a regulation that could impact your fleet’s eligibility, staffing, fleet planning, and workforce strategy. Carriers who act now will avoid disruption and stay prepared as states update their licensing processes.
What the Rule Is About
Following a nationwide review, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that some states had issued CDLs to drivers without fully verifying lawful presence or visa duration.
To address this, the DOT’s new rule now:
- Restricts non-domiciled CDLs to specific, employment-based visa holders (like H-2A or H-2B).
- Requires states to verify lawful presence using DHS’s SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) system.
- Directs states to review and update licenses to meet new federal standards.
- Warns that non-compliant states risk losing federal highway funding.
Why It Matters for Carriers
If even one of your active drivers holds a non-domiciled CDL, you could face:
- Unexpected downtime due to suspended or revoked licenses.
- Gaps in route coverage while drivers wait for verification or reissuance.
- Increased administrative burden on your safety or HR team.
- Potential added scrutiny during reviews or state checks if records aren’t updated.
- Reduced driver capacity, leading to operational slowdowns and missed delivery targets.
For carriers, this means some drivers could temporarily (or permanently) lose eligibility or face delays as states re-verify and reissue licenses. Driver shortages are already being reported. Some fleets are already reporting driver disruptions as states re-verify eligibility.
Some states have already begun updating their processes, which may result in renewal delays or additional document reviews for affected drivers.
How TransForce Helps Carriers Stay Ahead — and Confident in Their Workforce
When regulations shift, your operations can’t afford to slow down. That’s why TransForce partners with carriers nationwide to deliver flexible workforce solutions that support continuity and operational readiness.
With TransForce, you get:
- Driver Staffing – Fill short-term, long-term, or temp-to-perm roles with DOT-compliant drivers who are ready to roll. Discover staffing solutions »
- Direct Hire – Scale your hiring fast with support from our tenured recruiters and access to a national network of qualified drivers. Explore recruitment services »
- Digital Solutions – Supercharge your pipeline with high-quality leads from our proprietary platform, reducing your cost-per-hire. Boost your recruiting »
- Military Talent Acquisition – Tap into a pipeline of 2,500+ CDL-certified veterans annually through our Troops Into Transportation program. Hire veterans »
Why carriers trust TransForce:
- 30+ years of workforce and driver solutions expertise
- Nationwide coverage with local recruiting teams
- Industry-leading safety standards and workforce practices
- Scalable support for peak seasons or sudden disruptions.
- A true industry partner with deep regulatory insight and hands-on experience.
When regulations shift, TransForce helps you respond in real time to protect your fleet, your operations, and your customers.
Final Takeaway
This new DOT rule is a reminder of how quickly federal compliance can shift and how costly inaction can be. The carriers who succeed through this change are the ones who don’t wait to react.
Partner with TransForce to safeguard your operations, maintain workforce confidence, and ensure every driver in your fleet is cleared, credentialed, and ready to roll.