In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation published the results of an audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) focused on the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs in New York State. According to federal authorities, the audit revealed serious non-compliance with federal requirements, leading to the threat of withholding part of the federal road funding.
This concerns approximately 73 million dollars that New York may not receive if the violations are not corrected within the specified timeframe. Details were published in an official release by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
According to FMCSA information, the audit covered a sample of 200 non-resident CDLs issued in New York. In 107 cases, which is about 53 percent, violations of federal rules were found.
Federal officials claim that the issues involved checking the immigration status of applicants, document validity periods, and the correctness of license issuance. In their assessment, such errors may indicate systemic failures in the CDL issuance process at the state level.
Additional context and details of the audit were published in industry media, including FreightWaves, where New York was named one of the most problematic states in this matter.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV) disagreed with the federal authorities' findings. In an official statement, the department indicated that the state complies with federal CDL issuance requirements, and the audit itself, according to the DMV, distorts the actual picture.
NY DMV emphasizes that commercial driver's licenses are regulated by federal law, and the state operates strictly within the established rules. The full text of the state's position is published on the official NY DMV website.
If federal authorities find New York's measures insufficient, the state may face a temporary suspension of part of the federal road infrastructure funding. Additional inspections and a review of previously issued licenses are also possible.
The situation in New York is considered part of a broader federal campaign to verify non-domiciled CDL programs in different states. FMCSA has already stated its intention to strengthen control over compliance with the standards set in 49 CFR Part 383.
For drivers with non-domiciled CDLs issued in New York, it is important to closely monitor the status of their documents and any notifications from the DMV. Carriers, in turn, are advised to additionally verify the validity of drivers' licenses working on interstate routes.
While the dispute between federal and state authorities continues, the final conclusions and practical consequences for the industry remain an open question.