In 2025–2026, the US freight market faced a rare combination of factors: increased federal oversight of commercial driver's licenses (CDL) and growing caution among insurance companies. The focus is on non-domiciled CDLs, which are licenses issued to drivers without permanent residency status in the US.
In September 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under the US Department of Transportation issued an emergency rule aimed at tightening requirements for issuing non-domiciled CDLs. The regulator stated that the measure's goal is to "restore the integrity of the CDL system and enhance road safety."
The FMCSA's official statement emphasizes that the agency identified "systemic violations in licensing procedures and insufficient verification of commercial driving eligibility" (FMCSA — Interim Final Rule on Non-Domiciled CDLs).
Although part of this rule was later temporarily suspended by a court, the signal to the market was strong: federal authorities are ready to tighten control, even at the cost of conflict with states.
Insurance companies perceived FMCSA's actions as an indicator of increased risks. According to industry analysts, insurers are already revising underwriting for carriers hiring drivers with non-domiciled CDLs.
As FreightWaves notes, "insurers are likely to take a harder stance, as accidents involving drivers with problematic license statuses increase the likelihood of multi-million dollar court verdicts" (FreightWaves — Insurance companies likely to take hard stance on non-domiciled CDLs).
For carriers, this could mean:
- higher insurance premiums;
- additional documentation requirements for drivers;
- in some cases, denial of coverage.
The FMCSA's federal line has already led to tensions with certain states. In 2025, the US Department of Transportation warned that states not complying with federal standards in issuing CDLs could lose some funding for road infrastructure.
The Associated Press reported that such threats affected tens of millions of dollars in federal funds and sparked a sharp reaction from governors and state transportation departments (Associated Press — Federal scrutiny over commercial driver’s licenses).
Even amid legal uncertainty surrounding the FMCSA's emergency rule, the market has already begun adapting. Insurance companies traditionally react faster than regulators, and their stance could be decisive.
For transportation companies, this is a signal to:
- carefully review CDL verification processes and driver status;
- prepare for tougher questions from insurers;
- consider that liability may affect not only carriers but also brokers.
The tightening approach to non-domiciled CDLs is not a one-off news item but the start of a long-term trend. Federal regulators are betting on safety, while the insurance market is focused on reducing legal risks. As a result, carriers find themselves caught between two forces, where the cost of error could mean not only fines but also the loss of insurance coverage.
In 2026, the issue of non-domiciled CDLs becomes less about immigration or politics and more about insurance and legal risks that cannot be ignored.