More states halt non-domiciled CDL programs

Louisiana and Wyoming have ceased issuing non-domiciled commercial driver licenses, while Ohio is ending its program and has downgraded 2,000 credentials to standard licenses. Charlie Norman, registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, announced Oct. 23 that the state will stop issuing non-domiciled CDLs. In May, the BMV reviewed 5,000 non-domiciled CDLs to ensure compliance with stricter regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration following a nationwide audit last year of states that issued those credentials. Since then, the BMV has “downgraded around 2,000 non-domiciled CDLs to standard driver’s licenses due to ineligibility with FMCSA’s new rules.” The remaining 3,000 credentials also will be downgraded to standard licenses. The BMV plans to send those drivers a letter about the change, which will take effect 30 days from the date of the notice. Under state and federal law, individuals may request a BMV hearing to dispute the discontinuance. “Ohio has not renewed or issued new non-domiciled CDLs since FMCSA updated non-domiciled CDL requirements in September 2025,” the BMV stated. Other states this year have ended their non-domiciled CDL and commercial learner’s permit programs after the audit and new FMCSA regulations. Current federal requirements mandate more stringent vetting before states can issue non-domiciled credentials. Applicants now must hold one of three types of visas from the State Department. LouisianaThe Office of Motor Vehicles within the Louisiana Department of Public Safety amended its state policy May 29. The new regulation said Louisiana stopped issuing non-domiciled credentials on Oct. 2, 2025 “and is not going to resume issuing non-domiciled CLP and CDLs.”…

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