Trump’s Non-Domiciled CDL Audit: What Trucking Companies Need To Know Now

Nick Richardson

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Back in April 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to crack down on how states issue non-domiciled CDLs — and now, that order is being enforced through a nationwide audit.

If you’re a carrier or an owner-operator, here’s what this means for you and your drivers.

https://youtu.be/ZvYMzUJmYOo

Trump’s Non-Domiciled CDL Audit: What Truck Drivers Must Know (https://youtu.be/ZvYMzUJmYOo)

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? What Is a Non-Domiciled CDL?

A non-domiciled CDL is a commercial driver’s license given to someone who does not live permanently in the U.S. but has legal permission to work here — for example, through an unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD). These drivers must still meet all the same federal requirements as any other CDL holder: passing knowledge and skills tests, medical checks, and providing valid proof of lawful presence.

? Why the Audit Matters Now

In late June 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a nationwide audit through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The goal? To check if state licensing agencies are properly verifying that drivers are legally allowed to hold a non-domiciled CDL — and to make sure drivers aren’t using fake addresses or expired work authorization.

The FMCSA will look at state records, not stop drivers at random. But if the audit finds gaps, states could face funding cuts — and drivers with incomplete paperwork could lose their CDLs.

? How This Connects to the Pro-Trucker Package

While not listed as a bullet point in the official Pro-Trucker Package, this audit was announced alongside it — which also includes:

$275 million for new truck parking
Withdrawal of the federal speed limiter rule
Simplified processes for license renewals
Stricter English language rules for inspections

Together, these measures aim to protect American truckers by tightening compliance and easing outdated regulations.

✅ What You Should Do

If you or your drivers have a non-domiciled CDL:

Talk to your state licensing office if you’re unsure your CDL is in good standing.

Double-check that all documents are valid: employment authorization, medical card, residency proof.

Keep copies of everything in your Driver Qualification files.

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Full Transcript

[00:00:00] From this weekend trucking, this is hot right now, and I’m Amy. Back in April, 2025, president Trump signed an executive order that directed the DOT

to look into how states issued non domiciled CDLs.

Now the DOT through the F-M-C-S-A

is running a nationwide audit.

To make sure that the states are following the rules when issuing non domiciled CDLs But what is a non domiciled CDL and what are the rules before we get into it? Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an update.

Okay, so first, who can get a non domiciled a non domiciled CDL is a commercial driver’s license for someone who is from another country. That does not have the same driver’s license testing standards as the US does,

They have to meet the same requirements as anyone else testing in the US to get a CDL, and they also need an unexpired employment authorization document.

This type of CDL is only good as long as a work authorization document is valid.

If that document expires, then your CDL is no longer valid.

[00:01:00] people who have permission to work in the US but don’t yet have a permanent residency

or citizenship can get a non domiciled The DOT launched a nationwide audit, specifically reviewing

Unqualified individuals obtaining A CDL. The F-M-C-S-A is gonna review each state’s procedure looking for patterns of abuse.

The audit was publicly announced June 27th, 2025. By the US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, alongside a package that includes funding for truck parking, withdrawing the federal speed limiter, rulemaking process,

and simplifying processes for license renewals and filings.

And as we’ve explained in previous videos. They’ve also started tightening up on English language proficiency on drivers.

if you or any of your drivers has a non domiciled CDL

and a valid work authorization document. alongside the other requirements from your driver qualification files, you’re good to go.

The F-M-C-S-A is basically going to look at driver files that the state keeps on record checking to make sure that the states are actually proving that drivers live [00:02:00] here and really follow the rules before giving them a CDL.

If you want more quick updates like this, sign up for our newsletter. We break down the hottest freight markets per equipment type plus interviews with carriers sharing they’re real cost per mile and profits. Click the link that’s in the description of this video. Let me know in the comments. If you have any questions, don’t forget to subscribe and drive safe.