In addition to meeting Virginia’s licensing requirements, all applicants for an original, renewal or replacement CDL or commercial learner’s permit will also be required to present one of the following documents:
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
- Official birth document issued by a U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory (Birth documents issued by a hospital, notifications of birth registration, and foreign birth certificates are not accepted.)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State (FS-240)
- Certificate of Birth Abroad (FS-545)
- Certification of Report of Birth of a U.S. Citizen (DS-1350)
- U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
- Unexpired permanent resident card (I-551)
Note: If you have presented one of the documents above to DMV since January 1, 2004, you will not be asked to do so again.
Non-Domiciled CDL and CLP Issuance
Virginia DMV has stopped the issuance of non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) and Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLPs). This is necessary while DMV determines the impact on DMV's systems and processes to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) new federal rules on CDL eligibility for non-citizens.
Why the Change Is Happening
FMCSA issued an Interim Final Rule on September 29, 2025, which took effect immediately. The rule requires:
- Stricter eligibility standards for non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs.
- Employment-based visas for applicants.
- Mandatory immigration status checks.
- Expiration dates limited to one year or the expiration of work authorization, whichever is sooner.
What This Means for CDL/CLP Applicants
Effective immediately, DMV has stopped processing all transactions for limited-duration non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs, including:
- Original issuances
- Reissues or duplicates
- Transfers or upgrades
Customers with Existing Credentials
Customers who currently hold a valid limited-duration CDL or CLP issued before September 29, 2025 may continue to drive until the credential’s expiration date. However, if the credential is lost, stolen or damaged, DMV cannot issue a replacement at this time.
How Long Will This Last
At this time, DMV does not have a timeline for when or if issuance of non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs will resume. We will provide updates on system and process changes as they become available.