Ohio to notify 5,000 non-domiciled CDL holders about potential license downgrades

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is taking major action to comply with federal commercial driver license (CDL) requirements.

On May 29, 2026, the Ohio BMV announced that 5,000 non-domiciled CDL holders would be contacted about their licensing status as the agency works to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules.

The Ohio BMV will send letters to notify the non-domiciled CDL holders either that their credentials meet FMCSA’s updated rules or that they face a CDL downgrade.

Those who do not meet FMCSA standards will be downgraded to a Class D Passenger Driver License 30 days after receipt of the notice, meaning that they are no longer qualified to operate a commercial vehicle.

Individuals who have been downgraded may request a hearing to dispute the action or to submit additional documentation, including an unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or an unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired USCIS I‑94 form.

The Ohio BMV stated that it has not issued any non-domiciled CDLs since September 2025, when FMCSA issued the emergency interim final rule (IFR) Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled CDLs.

“The Ohio BMV does not intend to resume issuing new non-domiciled CDLs in the future nor will it renew any revalidated non-domiciled CDLs after they expire,” the agency said.

While the September 2025 IFR was challenged in court, FMCSA issued a Final Rule in February 2026 codifying the IFR and significantly limiting the number of individuals who are eligible for a non-domiciled CDL or CLP.