Navigating 2025 Compliance Changes

Key FMCSA Compliance Updates Carriers Must Prepare for in 2025

This year in compliance has been a big one for motor carriers regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In 2025, there were two major regulatory moves that carriers can’t afford to ignore:

1. A new rule restricting non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs)¹
2. The rollout of FMCSA’s National Registry II (NRII) for medical certifications²

Both policies impact driver eligibility and compliance, and both require immediate attention.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Rule: What Changed?

In September, FMCSA issued an emergency interim final rule that drastically limits who can obtain a non-domiciled CDL. Previously, foreign nationals with Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) could qualify. Now only those with specific visa types H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 are eligible. This change was prompted by fatal crashes, as reported by The Associated Press, and widespread state licensing violations. 

The rule affects roughly 200,000 current non-domiciled CDL holders. FMCSA expects most of these drivers to exit the industry over the next two years as their licenses expire.  

States must stop issuing new non-domiciled CDLs until they meet stricter verification standards, including:  

• DHS SAVE system checks 
• In-person renewals 
• Additional proof-of-status requirements 

However, enforcement remains uncertain. According to Heavy Duty Trucking, on November 10, a federal appeals court issued an administrative stay, followed by a November 13 suspension of the new rule. For now, previous eligibility rules remain in effect but FMCSA plans to fight the court’s ruling. Carriers should prepare for possible reinstatement of the national rule and address state-specific actions. 

National Registry II (NRII): Medical Certification Goes Fully Digital

The FMCSA’s National Registry II launched on June 23, marking a long-awaited upgrade to the medical certification process. The goal: eliminate paper-based errors and streamline compliance.

What’s new under NRII:

• Medical examiners must upload DOT physical results to FMCSA by the next day.
• FMCSA transmits results to state licensing agencies, which update the driver’s Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
• Carriers must verify medical status via MVRs rather than paper certificates in states with electronic medical status capability.

This shift tries to reduce paperwork, but may increase the need for real-time monitoring. Violations tied to expired or missing medical cards have historically been costly and common. NRII aims to fix that.

What Should Motor Carriers Do Now?

Whether the CDL rule is reinstated or not, and regardless of your state’s NRII readiness, here’s where carriers can focus to stay in compliance:

1. Maximize System Integrations for a Single Source of Truth 

Ideally, your applicant tracking, background screening, I-9/E-Verify, and driver qualification file systems will be connected and sharing information.

When these systems are integrated, carriers gain immediate visibility into:

• Work authorization status 
• CDL type 
• Medical exam results 

This helps you catch issues upfront and avoid manual errors. Integration also speeds up processes which is crucial when adjusting to rule changes. If your recruiting, screening, onboarding, and DQ file tools don’t talk to each other, consider upgrading to a solution that links them. It not only reduces duplicate data entry, but it also provides a single source of truth for each driver’s compliance status.

2. Screen Early & Monitor Continuously 

Don’t treat compliance as a one-and-done checkbox at hiring. It needs to be ongoing. Of course, compliance starts at the beginning.

You should thoroughly vet new drivers before they ever hit the road by verifying: 

• CDL status and endorsements 
• Immigration/visa category (especially if the non-domiciled CDL rule returns) 
• Background and safety history

Second, implement continuous monitoring of driver qualifications. This means enrolling drivers in an MVR monitoring program or regularly pulling those records, so you get alerts on any changes. Continuous monitoring helps keeps tabs on license expirations, suspensions, CDL downgrades, or new violations. The NRII rule ideallyessentially forces a continuous approach for medical fitness since a lapse will show up immediately on the record, so expand that mindset to all driver credentials.

By monitoring in near real-time, you catch compliance issues early and intervene before it becomes a compliance violation or safety risk.

3. Ditch the Paper, and Go Digital

Now is the time to eliminate paper-based processes from driver compliance wherever possible. Adopting digital forms and e-signatures for things like driver applications and consent forms will speed up your onboarding and reducemitigate errors. Going paperless directly aids compliance by ensuring you have the latest, most accurate info at your fingertips.

Final Thoughts

These changes are about safety and accountability, but they also require motor carriers to be proactive. Review your processes, monitor your driver pool, and stay informed. Whether it’s adapting to digital medical records or preparing for tighter CDL rules, the carrier

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