USPS to phase out use of unvetted non-domiciled CDL drivers by contracted trucking companies

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced a new effort to introduce tougher licensing requirements for contracted trucking providers.

On January 5, 2026, USPS announced it will “begin working with its contracted trucking providers to phase out any use of non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) operators who have not been thoroughly vetted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.”

“By tightening the use of non-domiciled CDL drivers by our third-party (contracted) providers, USPS seeks to improve transportation safety and accountability and add yet another layer of protection and safety,” USPS said.

USPS reaffirmed a commitment to reducing crashes involving employee and contractor drivers, and said that this will include “monitoring industry and government data relating to our contractors.”

USPS pointed to a need to align with “recent Department of Transportation (DOT) policies to make American roadways safer” as a reason for the stricter requirements for contracted trucking companies.

In late September 2025, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an emergency interim final rule that restricted the ability of State Driver’s Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) to issue CDLs to foreign-domiciled individuals.

“The safety of our employees, our customers, and the American public is of the utmost concern to the Postal Service,” said Amber McReynolds, chairwoman of the Postal Service Board of Governors. “In order to maintain the highest possible safety standards, we have decided to phase out any use of non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s License operators who have not been thoroughly vetted by the Postal Inspection Service.”

“USPS just completed an extremely safe and efficient peak season delivering the nation’s holiday mail and packages,” said Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner. “We believe this additional requirement will strengthen the safety, efficiency and reliability of our services into the future.”

USPS moves 55,000 loads by truck each day.