Commercial Driver's License Standards: Regulatory Guidance Concerning the Issuance of Commercial Learner's Permits

FMCSA announces regulatory guidance clarifying that State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) may agree to facilitate the commercial learner's permit (CLP) application process and to administer the commercial driver's license (CDL) general knowledge test to individuals who are not domiciled in the State. Today's guidance makes clear that SDLAs may accept applications for CLPs and administer the general knowledge test to individuals taking commercial motor vehicle driver training in that State, but who are not domiciled there, provided that: The SDLA administering the general knowledge test transmits the test results directly, securely, and electronically to the applicant's State of domicile; and the State of domicile agrees to accept the test results and issue the CLP. While today's guidance is in answer to general knowledge testing as addressed in FMCSA regulations, we note that this regulatory guidance is consistent with the Agency's October 13, 2016, final rule which amended the CDL regulations to ease the transition of military personnel into civilian careers driving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).