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Trucking Rule Changes in 2025–2026: English Proficiency, Non-Domiciled CDLs and the Clearinghouse
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Three federal changes affect who can get and keep a CDL. What they are and what they mean for drivers.
Several federal changes over the past two years affect who can drive a commercial truck.
English proficiency enforcement (June 2025)
Since June 25, 2025, drivers who can't read road signs or communicate with officers in English can be placed out of service at a roadside inspection. Carriers are paying closer attention to English skills when hiring.
Non-domiciled CDL rule (March 16, 2026)
An FMCSA final rule limits CDLs for drivers not domiciled in the US to citizens, permanent residents and holders of certain work visas, with stricter document checks. Existing licenses stay valid until they expire but can't be renewed without meeting the new requirements.
Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse (November 2024)
Since November 18, 2024, states must remove CDL driving privileges from drivers with an unresolved drug or alcohol violation in the Clearinghouse until they complete return-to-duty steps.
What to do
- Check your own Clearinghouse record before applying for jobs.
- Keep your medical card current.
- Watch for further changes. Congress has considered bills that would require English-only CDL testing.
What carriers are doing differently
- Checking English skills during interviews and road tests
- Verifying immigration documents more closely for non-domiciled drivers
- Running Clearinghouse queries before hiring and at least once a year
How to check your Clearinghouse status
Create a free account on the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse website. You can see any violations reported about you and respond to employer consent requests.
Frequently asked questions
Do these rules affect existing US-citizen drivers? The English proficiency and Clearinghouse rules apply to everyone. The non-domiciled rule affects drivers licensed under non-domiciled CDLs.
Where can I read the official rules? The FMCSA website posts final rules and guidance.
Bottom line
Keep your documents, medical card and Clearinghouse record in order, and expect carriers to check all three.
What this means if you're just starting
- Choose a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Training from an unlisted provider won't count toward your CDL.
- Practice job-related English if it's not your first language: road signs, inspection terms and conversations with officers and dispatchers.
- Bring complete documents to the DMV. States are checking identity and residency more closely.
- Stay clean. A single positive drug test is recorded in the Clearinghouse and follows you between employers.
Rules can change again as courts and Congress act. We update this article when they do.
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