ST. PAUL — "Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) takes our role in issuing commercial driver’s licenses and keeping Minnesota roads safe very seriously.

Minnesota is one of several states that received this letter from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Our state currently has 212,327 standard commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders and 2,117 non-domiciled CDL holders. Federal law authorizes non-domiciled CDLs. All applicants take the same tests in English and must go through the same knowledge and behind the wheel testing to demonstrate the same ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle as all standard CDL applicants. We have no evidence Minnesota non-domiciled CDL holders compromised public safety in any way.

Earlier this year we audited our processes and identified and corrected some administrative errors with issuing non-domiciled CDLs, including notifying customers who were ineligible that their CDL privileges were canceled.

As DVS was implementing the corrective action, FMCSA conducted an audit that affirmed the issues already identified by DVS and have now been corrected. DVS was aware of, and prepared for, most of these findings.

DVS contests what we believe are inaccuracies in some of the findings listed in the letter received on Monday. The agency will also be seeking clarity on some required corrections that seem to be tied to the new CDL rules issued on Sept. 29. Those rules were not in effect at the time of the audit and are subject to a court-ordered stay by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Moving forward, as required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, DVS has immediately paused issuing non-domiciled CDLs. We have already begun an additional internal review and will submit an action plan to FMCSA as required."

More information will be shared as it becomes available. Visit dps.mn.gov/CDL for the latest information.

 

About the Minnesota Department of Public Safety

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s more than 2,400 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.

About Driver and Vehicle Services

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services division (DVS) is responsible for driver testing, driver licensing and maintenance of driver records; driver evaluation and compliance; motor vehicle title and registration; commercial vehicle registration; motor vehicle dealer licensing and regulation; and enforcement of no-fault insurance requirements.

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