Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-09622
FMCSA Exemption for Non-Domiciled CDLs/CLPs for Freely Associated States Citizens
Posted
May 14, 2026
Identifier
2026-09622
NAICS
926120
This notice from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) addresses regulatory changes for commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) and learner's permits (CLPs) for certain non-U.S. citizens: - Government Buyer: - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), U.S. Department of Transportation - Regulatory Action: - Grants partial exemption to Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and all State Driver's Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) - Allows issuance of non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs to citizens of the Freely Associated States (FAS): - Federated States of Micronesia - Republic of the Marshall Islands - Republic of Palau - FAS citizens must reside in the U.S. and possess a valid FAS passport and Form I-94 or I-94A - Denies request to issue standard (domiciled) CDLs and CLPs to FAS citizens - Supersedes previous exemption granted to Oregon - Notable Requirements: - Exemption valid for five years - Each non-domiciled CLP or CDL issued may be valid for up to one year - SDLAs must comply with federal regulations, notify FMCSA before issuing licenses, and report annually on licenses issued - No OEMs, vendors, or product/service procurement involved; this is a regulatory exemption, not a purchasing action
Description
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant in part and deny in part the exemption application from the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT). The exemption allows all State Driver's Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) a five-year exemption to issue a non-domiciled commercial driver's license (CDL) or non-domiciled commercial learner's permit (CLP) to citizens of Freely Associated States (FAS) residing in the United States with a valid, unexpired FAS passport and Form I-94 or I-94A. FMCSA denies HDOT's request to issue standard CLPs and CDLs to FAS citizens. This exemption supersedes a previous exemption granted to Oregon. The exemption aims to maintain or improve safety standards and is effective from May 14, 2026, to May 14, 2031.