The authorities of the state of Nevada have begun phasing out non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses (Non-Domiciled CDL) — licenses issued to drivers without a permanent residence in the USA. The decision was made amid tightening federal requirements and has already affected nearly a thousand professional drivers.
In January 2026, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) officially confirmed that the state will no longer renew and issue so-called Limited-Term CDL. These are licenses whose validity is directly tied to the driver's immigration status.
According to the DMV, there are about 980 active non-domiciled CDL in the state. Most of them will be canceled as the owner's legal stay in the USA expires.
In an official statement, the DMV said:
"Nevada is required to align its procedures with federal CDL standards to maintain the integrity of the program and federal highway funding," reported the Nevada DMV (January 2026).
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The state's detailed position is published in the official announcement by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.
A key factor was the decision by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the USA. In September 2025, the agency published an Interim Final Rule aimed at "restoring the integrity of the issuance of non-domiciled CDL."
According to the document, the issuance of such licenses should be strictly limited and allowed only for drivers with certain types of legal status. The FMCSA emphasized that the previous practice posed risks to safety and control.
The rule text states:
"Some states issued non-domiciled CDL without sufficient verification of status and driver history, undermining unified federal safety standards," noted the FMCSA document from September 29, 2025.
The full text of the federal rule is available on the Federal Register.
It is important to note that the effect of this rule is temporarily contested in court. However, states under federal oversight, including Nevada, are required to implement corrective measures regardless of the legal process.
The changes are most sensitive for:
- foreign drivers with work visas;
- carriers using drivers with non-domiciled CDL;
- logistics companies operating in border regions.
Separately, the DMV clarifies that some drivers from Canada and Mexico will be able to use licenses issued in their countries under existing international agreements.
Industry media note that Nevada's decision could set a precedent for other states, especially if the court supports the FMCSA's position. According to experts, in the short term, this may increase the driver shortage, but in the long term, it will simplify control and increase market transparency.
A detailed review of the situation was previously published by Transport Topics.
Lawyers and industry consultants recommend already:
- checking the expiration date of CDL and immigration documents;
- preparing to transition to alternative forms of driving admission if available;
- monitoring further FMCSA and court decisions, as federal policy may change.
The situation around non-domiciled CDL remains dynamic, and Nevada has become one of the first states where federal changes have begun to be applied in practice.
