Expert Insights on DOT Compliance
In-depth analysis, regulatory updates, and practical compliance guidance from transportation attorneys and industry experts.
FMCSA Extends NRII Waiver Through October 11, Continuing Paper Medical Certificate Relief
FMCSA has extended its NRII waiver through October 11, 2026, allowing continued reliance on paper medical certificates despite the agency’s push toward a fully electronic system. The extension confirms what the industry is already experiencing: delays in state posting of medical certifications are still creating gaps between qualification and documentation. Until those gaps close, carriers must manage both paper and electronic records to stay compliant.
Brandon Wiseman
Indiana Revokes Nearly 1,800 Non-Domiciled CDLs Under New State Law
Indiana revoked 1,790 non-domiciled CDLs under new state law, establishing precedent for nationwide enforcement with $50,000 employer penalties and felony charges.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA's MOTUS System: 2026 Rollout To Transform Registration Process
FMCSA's MOTUS registration system launches in 2026, consolidating all DOT registration processes into a single platform. This comprehensive guide covers critical preparation steps carriers must take now to avoid transition pitfalls.
Brandon Wiseman
The Open Door Policy That Broke American Trucking
Indiana’s revocation of nearly 2,000 non-domiciled CDLs has sparked national attention, but focusing only on immigration misses the deeper issue. This article argues that the real problem is a decades-long erosion of entry standards across the trucking industry, driven by deregulation, self-certification, and a misplaced “driver shortage” narrative. From carrier authority and broker licensing to ELDT, ELDs, and medical certification, the system increasingly relies on trust where verification is needed. The result is an industry flooded with underqualified participants and a compliance framework struggling to keep up.
Rob Carpenter
CVSA's 2026 International Roadcheck Targets ELD Tampering During May 12-14
CVSA's 2026 International Roadcheck (May 12-14) focuses on ELD tampering enforcement with enhanced penalties up to $16,000 per violation and automatic 10-hour out-of-service orders for tampering violations.
Brandon Wiseman
Dalilah's Law Moves Through Committee With Key Revisions on Foreign Dispatch and CDL Eligibility
Delilah's Law has advanced through committee with key revisions — including sharper language on foreign dispatch services. Here's what the amended bill means for fleet compliance programs right now.
Brandon Wiseman
California to Cancel 13,000 Non-Domiciled CDLs
Following a federal audit and regulatory enforcement action by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has begun canceling thousands of previously issued non-domiciled CDLs after federal officials concluded that many of the licenses were issued in violation of federal eligibility requirements.The situation illustrates a broader regulatory shift occurring at the federal level regarding non
Brandon WisemanDalilah's Law: What Fleets Need to Know About the Proposed CDL Restrictions
Senator Jim Banks has introduced the Dalilah Law, a bill that would prohibit states from issuing CDLs to individuals who are not U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or holders of certain work visas — and tie compliance to federal DOT funding. Here's what fleet owners and safety directors need to know.
Brandon Wiseman
FMCSA Issues New Guidance Clarifying Non-Domiciled CDL Final Rule Requirements
On February 18, 2026, FMCSA issued new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) clarifying its recently finalized rule tightening the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). The guidance provides critical details for states, carriers, and drivers navigating the March 16, 2026 effective date of the final rule, and confirms that the agency is taking an aggressive posture toward enforcing lawful presence requirements and correcting past licensing deficiencies. While much of the atte
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