Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s License

As of August 30, 2024, Senate Bill 95 became Law in the State of Alaska.  This bill allows in certain circumstances, the state to issue a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) to an individual who is not domiciled within its jurisdiction. The word "Non-domiciled" must be prominently displayed on the CDL or CLP.

Non-domicile CDL means a CDL issued by a State under either of the following two conditions:

  • To an individual domiciled in a foreign country, other than Mexico and Canada, if the person obtained the license from a State, which complies with the testing and licensing standards required for CDL drivers.
  • To an individual domiciled in another State while that State is prohibited from issuing CDLs, if the person obtained the license from any State which elected to issue non-domiciled CDLs and which complies with the testing and licensing standards required for CDL drivers.

 

The applicant must also satisfy the requirements of Alaska Statute 28.33.100(a)(2)(B)-(D).

As of September 29th, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released an interim final rule.  Read the rule in its entirety here:  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-29/pdf/2025-18869.pdf

FMCSA has updated the rules for how states issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and learner’s permits to people who live outside the United States.  Under this change, states will have very limited ability to issue or renew these licenses for foreign-domiciled drivers.

In the past, the Alaska DMV issued non-domiciled licenses to individuals with Employment Authorization Document (EAD) cards. Under the new rule, this is no longer allowed, and the DMV cannot renew those credentials. However, the rule does permit individuals with H-2 A, H-2 B, and E-2 visas to be issued non-domiciled licenses if all other licensing criteria is met.

Additional information can be found here: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-takes-emergency-action-protect-americas 

Non-Domiciled FAQ

  • Effective September 29, 2025, individuals who were issued a non-domiciled CLP or CDL before this date will not be eligible to renew or upgrade their credential unless they meet the new eligibility requirements under the updated rule.

  • Holders of a non-domiciled CLP or CDL may voluntarily surrender or request a downgrade of their credential at any time prior to its expiration.

Under the FMCSA Final Rule effective September 29, 2025, eligibility for a non-domiciled Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) or Commercial Driver License (CDL) is limited to certain temporary visa holders.

To qualify, an applicant must:

  • Hold a valid, unexpired foreign passport, and

  • Be lawfully present in the United States under one of the following visa classifications:

    • H-2A Visa (Temporary Agricultural Worker)

    • H-2B Visa (Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker)

    • E-2 Visa (Treaty Investor Visa)

Important Notes:

  • Canadian and Mexican citizens are not eligible for a non-domiciled CLP or CDL under this rule.

  • Individuals with other visa types are also not eligible.

A non-domiciled CLP or CDL will expire on the earliest of the following dates:

  • The last day of the individual’s “admit until” date as shown on their immigration documentation, or

  • One year from the date of issuance, or

  • The date the individual’s lawful status in the United States is no longer valid.

All visa and lawful status information must be electronically verified with USCIS through the SAVE system before issuance or renewal.

Note: These credentials cannot be issued for a period longer than one year and must always reflect the individual’s current lawful status.

Non-Domiciled CDL

  • Lists the words "NON-DOMICILED CDL" in black text at the top of a license
  • Lists the words "LIMITED-TERM" in black text in the top right of a license due to the requirement that any Federally Compliant (REAL-ID) credential must include this label when the lawful status of the individual is not indefinite. 

Note: Expiration date must not exceed 1 year from the date of issuance.

Non-Domiciled CLP

  • Lists the words "NON-DOMICILED CLP" in black text at the top of a permit.
  • Lists the words "NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR REAL ID OFFICIAL PURPOSES" in black text in the top right of a license as this credential is not REAL ID compliant. 

Note: Expiration date must not exceed 1 year from the date of issuance.

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