DACA Recipients Petition FMCSA for CDL Eligibility Restoration

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is reviewing an exemption petition from California resident Jenifer Sanchez Vilchis that seeks to restore commercial driver's license eligibility for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients holding valid Employment Authorization Documents. This petition arrives as a direct response to FMCSA's February 2024 finalization of stricter non-domiciled CDL standards, which excluded most DACA recipients despite their federal work authorization. The agency will accept public comments through July 2 before deciding whether granting the exemption maintains safety equivalence with existing regulations. The stakes are substantial for trucking supply chains. Roughly 200,000 non-domiciled CDL holders currently work nationwide, with approximately 194,000 expected to become ineligible to renew under new requirements.

, many born or raised in the country with decades of work experience. S. authorization in recent months, further straining cross-border capacity. Multiple states—Ohio, California, Washington, Colorado, and Pennsylvania—have paused or reassessed non-domiciled CDL programs, signaling widespread operational uncertainty. For supply chain professionals, this exemption petition represents a critical juncture in workforce availability and regulatory compliance.

If approved, it could provide temporary relief to driver shortages in specific regions. If denied, expect continued license forfeitures, tighter cross-border logistics, and sustained upward pressure on transportation costs. The outcome will likely influence broader federal policy on immigration and commercial licensing for years to come.