Non-Domicile Citizenship Requirements for Licensing
In late September 2025 the United States Department of Transportation issued an emergency rule which tightened substantially the eligibility and verification requirements for obtaining a non-domiciled Commercial Learner's Permit.
Effective immediately, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMA) has paused until further notice the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs, also known as non-immigrant or Temporary CDLs or CLPs.
Non-Domicile Definitions
A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) is a permit that allows a person to begin the process of learning how to operate a commercial motor vehicle while under the direct tutelage of a person who holds a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
A CLP is considered non-domiciled when the holder of the CLP is not a permanent resident of the state and has their permanent home is outside the United States. The purpose of the non-domiciled CLP is to allow foreign nationals who are legally residing in the United States to begin the process of obtaining a CDL to work in the trucking industry.
Non-citizen Documentation Requirements
Once the State of Florida lifts the pause, non-citizen applicants [except for lawful permanent residents holding an unexpired green card (Form I-551)] will be required to provide an unexpired foreign passport and a valid, unexpired I-94/94A form that indicates a lawful employment-based status.
- H-2A (Temporary Agricultural Workers)
- H-2B (Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers)
- E-2 (Treaty Investors)
The documents must be presented in person at a state licensing agency with every application for renewal of and/or upgrade of a Commercial Learner’s Permit or Commercial Driver's License.
Each state will individually verify an applicant's lawful status through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system. The SAVE system is maintained by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The new rule eliminates the eligibility for application for a Commercial Driver's Permit and License for asylum seekers, refugees, DACA recipients, and others who previously qualified with Employment Authorization Documents.
Current Class A Convening Date Schedules
The Class A Tractor/Trailer full (three week course) Commercial Driver's License (CDL) driver program schedule:
- Monday, March 23, 2026
- Monday, April 13, 2026
- Monday, May 4, 2026
- Tuesday, May 26, 2026
- Monday, June 15, 2026
- Monday, July 6, 2026
- Monday, July 27, 2026
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Monday, September 28, 2026
- Monday, October 19, 2026
- Monday, November 9, 2026
- Monday, November 30, 2026
- Monday, December 28, 2026
Ensure your drive time now by calling Mike Rash now at (352)302-0903!
