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3 more states end non-domiciled CDL programs
Colorado, Idaho and Michigan are the latest to halt issuance of licenses, permits
Before a nationwide audit of state programs last year, most states issued non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs. (Jeremy Poland/Getty Images)
Key Takeaways:
- Colorado, Idaho and Michigan stopped issuing non-domiciled commercial licenses or permits as states respond to tighter federal eligibility rules.
- A federal audit found more than 30 states noncompliant, prompting enforcement actions and revocation of thousands of improperly issued credentials.
- Existing compliant credentials generally remain valid until expiration, while Colorado would need FMCSA approval before restarting its indefinitely suspended program.
Colorado, Idaho and Michigan have joined a growing list of U.S. states that no longer issue commercial driver licenses or commercial learner permits to immigrant truckers.
In response to a crackdown in federal enforcement, more states are opting out of the voluntary programs. For many, compliance with new federal mandates often requires significant changes to licensing software and internal procedures.
Earlier this year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented a rule that narrowed eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs to drivers vetted by the Department of State and holding temporary H-2A (agricultural), H-2B (nonagricultural) or E-2 (treaty investor) visas. This followed a September 2025 emergency declaration by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to immediately halt the issuance of non-domiciled driving privileges.
Before a nationwide audit of state programs last year, most states issued non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs. Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and West Virginia were the exceptions. The audit found that more than 30 states had issued licenses and permits that the agency determined were noncompliant. Most of those states faced enforcement actions.
Since then, states have revoked thousands of improperly issued credentials while allowing compliant licenses to remain valid until expiration, but without renewal.
Image
(Debra Devine/Transport Topics)
Colorado
Colorado has no immediate plans to resume issuing non-domiciled CDLs or CLPs but won’t fully rule out doing so.
The state halted its program after Duffy’s September 2025 emergency freeze. Corinne Willer, a DMV communications specialist, told Transport Topics the state’s program has been “suspended indefinitely.”
“We are not issuing or renewing term-limited (non-domiciled) CDLs or CLPs until further notice due to the requirements of the final rule issued by FMCSA effective on March 16, 2026,” she said.
FMCSA auditors in December 2025 found that 22% of a sample of 100 non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs issued by the state did not comply with federal regulations, triggering a warning that Colorado could lose $24.5 million in federal grants. At the time, the state had issued 1,848 non-domiciled licenses and permits.
Willer noted that Colorado would need FMCSA approval before restarting the program.
“Should Colorado decide to resume issuing non-domiciled CLPs or CDLs in the future, we must notify and receive approval from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration” to ensure compliance with federal rules, she said.
Idaho
Legislation signed by Idaho Gov. Brad Little took effect July 1, eliminating the state’s non-domiciled CDL program. At the time, Idaho had about 180 valid non-domiciled CDLs.
Britt Rosenthal, public information officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, said properly issued non-domiciled CDLs “will remain in effect until their lawful status document or CDL expires” under FMCSA’s final rule.
“For CLPs, 43 were canceled or [holders] were notified they would not be able to convert them to a non-domiciled CDL,” she added.
Michigan
The Michigan Department of State has said it has no plans to issue non-domiciled CDLs or CLPs in the future. Asked whether the decision is permanent, MDOS Press Secretary Sam May said, “This is accurate, unless federal guidance changes in the future.”
May said the state mailed letters in April to 135 drivers whose licenses would be canceled unless they provided additional documentation within 30 days.
“Another 1,548 individuals, most of whom legally received CDLs as [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] recipients, will face cancellation when they renew or make changes to their current license,” May said.
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At the time of the 2025 audit, Michigan had 1,683 valid non-domiciled credentials. About 1,000 remain valid until expiration, “so long as the license does not become disqualified or any new license issuance is needed,” May said.
Other states
In August, Rhode Island and Utah also stopped issuing non-domiciled CDLs.
“Rhode Island is currently not issuing non-domiciled CDLs and does not anticipate issuing them in the future,” Paul Grimaldi, a spokesman for the state Department of Revenue, told TT. The state once had 177 non-domiciled CDLs. Of those, 113 remain active but will not be replaced when they expire.
Utah officials “have decided to continue our moratorium on issuing new non-domiciled CDLs” because so few drivers meet current eligibility standards, said Stephanie Dinsmore, communications and public affairs director for the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Ohio and Oregon ended their programs this year, while Nevada stopped issuing non-domiciled CDLs after its 2025 audit.
“The state of Ohio does not intend to resume issuing new non-domiciled CDLs in the future nor will it renew any of the existing revalidated non-domiciled CDLs after they expire,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety spokesman Bret Crow.
