USPS Tightens Rules on Non-Domiciled CDL Drivers
Postal Inspection Service Officers Part of New Screening Process
Key Takeaways:
- USPS said Jan. 5 it will cut ties with contracted drivers holding non-domiciled CDLs unless approved through new vetting by the Postal Inspection Service.
- The agency said the move adds a safety layer and aligns with a DOT rule halting state issuance of non-domiciled CDLs after audits found gaps.
- The DOT rule faces a court challenge now paused as FMCSA reviews comments, while USPS says the screening supports safer roads.
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The U.S. Postal Service is cutting ties with drivers who hold non-domiciled commercial driver licenses and have not been subjected to careful internal vetting, .
USPS on Jan. 5 said the announced “tightening” on the use of contracted, third-party non-domiciled CDL drivers is meant to improve transportation safety by adding a new “layer of protection.” The new process for non-domiciled CDLs, which are generally held by immigrants, will require approval from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The Postal Inspection Service operates a police force with officers whose duties include securing high-value post offices and facilities as well as postal vehicles. Postal Inspection officers also conduct joint law enforcement operations with other federal agencies, such as Customs and Border Protection.
“USPS just completed an extremely safe and efficient peak season delivering the nation’s holiday mail and packages,” said Postmaster General David Steiner. “We believe this additional requirement will strengthen the safety, efficiency and reliability of our services into the future.”
According to USPS, the new screening process is consistent with Trump administration goals under the Department of Transportation’s interim final rule called “Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy via the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration initiated the emergency rule after preliminary findings from a nationwide audit of state driver licensing agencies found inconsistencies with federal rule compliance across the country. The rule temporarily blocked states from issuing non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs.
The emergency rule has since been challenged in federal court. Action on that lawsuit has been halted to give FMCSA time to consider public comments in a proceeding that could lead to a permanent rule change.
USPS said its review of drivers that hold non-domiciled licenses is part of its commitment to “safeguard the American public from trucking-related safety incidents, and in line with recent Department of Transportation policies to make American roadways safer.”
Postal Service Board of Governors Chairwoman Amber McReynolds said, “The safety of our employees, our customers, and the American public is of the utmost concern to the Postal Service.”
USPS transports 55,000 loads each day by trucks that travel nearly 2 billion miles annually. It operates 257,894 vehicles — one of the largest civilian fleets in the world — to transport mail and parcels to 168.6 million delivery points nationwide. In 2024 it delivered mail and packages to 12.6 million business and 156 million residential addresses. USPS handles and delivers 44% of the world’s mail volume.
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