FMCSA Updates Freight Intel Industry News

Current Road Intel Update

This is EMFS Weekly Road Intel — June 8, 2026

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking public comments on a request from Jenifer Sanchez Vilchis, a California DACA recipient, for a temporary exemption that would allow states to issue Class B commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) for passenger vehicles to DACA recipients who hold valid Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

Vilchis argues that she was denied a Class B CDL with passenger and school bus endorsements solely because of her immigration status, despite meeting all training and testing requirements and having no safety-related disqualifications. She contends that DACA recipients who are legally authorized to work should be eligible for the same licensing opportunities as other work-authorized individuals.

The request comes after FMCSA implemented new non-domiciled CDL rules in 2026 that generally excluded DACA recipients from obtaining or renewing CDLs. If approved, the exemption would create a temporary pathway for DACA recipients to obtain Class B passenger-vehicle CDLs, potentially affecting thousands of work-authorized individuals seeking jobs such as school bus or motor coach drivers.

FMCSA has emphasized that publishing the notice does not mean the agency plans to approve the request. The agency will review the application, safety analyses, and public comments before making a decision. Public comments are being accepted through July 2, 2026.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cdl-fight-reignites-as-daca-recipient-petitions-fmcsa

Archived Feature

This feature has been archived following the publication of a newer Road Intel update.

Road Intel Archive:

Browse previous updates, video briefings, and industry alerts.

View Archive →