Non-Domiciled CDLs Found Illegal in Federal Audit of Minnesota
A federal audit found one-third of non-domiciled CDLs in Minnesota were issued without meeting federal rules, FMCSA says fix them or lose federal funding.
dayileyvasDecember 2, 20252 Mins read408
U.S. DOT Says One-Third of Minnesota’s Non-Domiciled CDLs Were Illegally Issued
A new federal audit found that many non-domiciled CDLs in Minnesota were issued without meeting federal rules. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) says the review uncovered major problems with how the state handled these licenses. Because of this, Minnesota now has 30 days to fix the issues or risk losing a large amount of federal highway funding.
Non-Domiciled CDLs at the Center of the Audit
DOT and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reviewed Minnesota’s process for issuing non-domiciled CDLs. These licenses go to drivers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents but still need a CDL to work.
Federal rules require states to check a person’s lawful presence before issuing a non-domiciled CDL. They must also tie the license expiration date to the end of the person’s legal stay in the United States.
However, the audit found that many non-domiciled CDLs stayed valid long after a person’s legal status expired. Other licenses were issued without proper proof of lawful presence. Some license records did not match immigration documents at all.
Non-Domiciled CDLs May Be Revoked Under Federal Rules
Because of these findings, FMCSA told Minnesota officials to review and correct all affected non-domiciled CDLs. The agency says the state may need to revoke licenses that do not follow the law. Minnesota must complete this work within 30 days of the letter sent by DOT.
If the state does not act, DOT may withhold up to $30.4 million in federal highway funds. This step could affect road projects across the state. DOT says the funding threat aims to push the state to fix the problem quickly and follow federal standards.
Non-Domiciled CDLs Show Wider Licensing Issues
The Minnesota case is not the only one. FMCSA says it has found problems with non-domiciled CDLs in other states as well. Because of this, the agency created new rules earlier this year to tighten the process nationwide.
Under these newer rules, states must collect more documents from applicants. They must also check immigration status through federal systems before issuing a license. FMCSA hopes these steps will stop improper license approvals and reduce fraud.
The agency says the Minnesota audit shows why these changes were needed. It also says the findings reveal a pattern of weak checks that may exist in several states.
What This Means for Drivers and Carriers
These audit results may affect drivers who hold non-domiciled CDLs in Minnesota. Some drivers may lose their licenses if the state finds their documents did not meet federal rules. This could cause delays for new drivers trying to enter the trucking industry.
Carriers may also need to double-check the licensing status of drivers they employ. If a driver’s non-domiciled CDL is revoked, the company must respond quickly to stay in compliance.
More Reviews of Non-Domiciled CDLs Expected
FMCSA says it will continue to review non-domiciled CDLs in other states. The agency aims to make sure all states follow the same rules and verify legal status before issuing a license. More audits and corrective orders may follow as the review expands.
DOT says these steps may help strengthen trust in the CDL system and improve safety on the road.
