联邦汽车运输安全管理局 2026 Rule Changes: Non-Domiciled 商用驾照 Restrictions Take Effect March 16

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (联邦汽车运输安全管理局) is implementing significant regulatory changes in 2026. The most immediate change is the Final Rule effective March 16, 2026, which limits non-domiciled Commercial Driver's License (商用驾照) eligibility to H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visa holders only.

This narrow eligibility list excludes DACA recipients, refugees, asylees, TPS holders, and most other visa categories, raising concerns about workforce access in an industry already facing driver shortages.

Additional 2026 regulatory changes include the Safety Measurement System (SMS) overhaul replacing old BASIC categories with a data-driven peer comparison model, stricter broker financial responsibility requirements effective January 2026, and the upcoming Motus registration platform replacing the Unified Registration System.

By May 2026, 联邦汽车运输安全管理局 also expects to propose a rule addressing inspection and maintenance standards for automated driving systems, marking a significant step toward regulating autonomous 商用车.