Three More States End Non-Domiciled CDL Programs, Including Michigan

Mileage Matters | September 8, 2026

Three more states end non-domiciled CDL programs, including Michigan

Transport Topics- Colorado, Idaho and Michigan have joined a growing list of U.S. states that no longer issue commercial driver licenses or commercial learner permits to immigrant truckers. Asked whether the decision is permanent, Michigan Department of State Press Secretary Sam May said, “This is accurate, unless federal guidance changes in the future.”

Federal & State Regulations

What 16,000 stalled applications say about who is actually entering trucking

Commercial Carrier Journal- On August 23, I pulled the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Motus Carrier table, the registration and authority file that carries every record processed through the new system, and counted what is sitting in the pending pile -- 18,000 applications. Of those pending applications,16,606 had no evidence of financial responsibility on file.

Seasonal ag truckers from Mexico face same English-language rules, DOL says

Freight Waves- A question from a Texas truck driver has produced a clear answer from the U.S. Department of Labor: H-2A visa holders who operate commercial motor vehicles are covered by federal English-language proficiency requirements.

Detroit Chapter Council of Equipment & Maintenance Meeting

Tonight: September 8, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Topic: Batteries and Ultracapacitors are not Just for Sci-Fi Movies Anymore!

Government

FMCSA purges driver schools, eyes prosecuting trucking fraud

FleetOwner- Federal officials are escalating their campaign against trucking fraud—and are putting carriers on notice that hiring non-compliant drivers might lead to prosecution. Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice met to announce several new enforcement activities across the trucking industry:

House bill would make all staged-crash fraud a federal crime

Commercial Carrier Journal- After legislation was introduced in both chambers of Congress this year and last that would have made intentionally staging an accident with a commercial motor vehicle a federal crime, new legislation takes that a step further and would make it a federal crime to knowingly stage or fabricate any motor vehicle crash and submit a fraudulent insurance claim.

Annual Meeting

September 10-11, 2026

The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

Registration- Deadline today

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Operations

FMCSA set to hike UCR fees 20%

Commercial Carrier Journal- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will publish a Final Rule increasing annual registration fees for the Unified Carrier Registration Plan by an average of 20% for the 2027 registration year and beyond.

Going to pot? Reclassification of marijuana presents significant concerns for trucking

The Trucker- With all of the changes that have already taken place when it comes to the use of marijuana, one thing that has not changed is the drug’s bipolar effect. The debate continues morally, ethically and politically about what marijuana is and how it should be used by the public. The big question is: Does marijuana have a place in the trucking industry?

Business

LTL carriers urge more shipper education on NMFC changes

Transport Topics- Shippers need additional education on density-based changes to the National Motor Freight Classification system introduced for the less-than-truckload freight market just over 12 months ago, executives say.

FREE Webinar: Women in Motion Educates - Why We Drive: Women of the Road on Purpose, Pride, and Overcoming Challenges

September 16, 2026

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

American Trucking Associations' Women in Motion highlights the experiences of women truck drivers, exploring what inspires them to choose the profession, the pride they take in their work, and the vital role they play in keeping our economy moving. Through personal stories and candid discussion, panelists will share how they have navigated industry challenges, broken barriers, and built rewarding careers on the road.