Hi! I'm a virtual assistant.
How can I help you?
Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Limited-Term Commercial Driver's License and Commercial Learner's Permit Updates

Effective March 16, 2026, Oregon DMV no longer issues or reinstates limited-term (non-domiciled) CDLs and CLPs.


Oregon DMV is no longer issues or reinstates limited-term (non-domiciled) Commercial Driver's Licenses and Commercial Learner's Permits until further notice. The change is due to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration final rule and OAR 735-063-0200(4) and 735-063-0269.

Federal information is available at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/.

FAQs


A non-domiciled CDL or CLP is a Commercial Driver's License or Commercial Learner’s Permit ​issued by a U.S. state to citizens of a foreign country who are legally in the U.S. on a temporary basis without permanent U.S. resident status or U.S. citizenship. Oregon calls these limited-term licenses. ​​

Oregon DMV refers to non-domiciled credentials as limited term because they are limited to the length of time the holder is lawfully allowed to be in the U.S. These commercial licenses and permits were issued to individuals lawfully residing in the U.S. on a temporary basis. ​

Asylum seekers, asylees, refugees, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, and individuals granted an Employment Authorization Document.​​

This ruling has a broad impact, not only for limited-term CDL and CLP holders, but also trucking companies, third-party testers, and businesses that employ these credential holders. There are approximately 1,400 limited-term CDL and CLP holders in Oregon. This action does not affect anyone’s legal status in the U.S., only their ability to obtain a commercial driving privilege. ​​

No, this does not impact CDL or CLP holders with a credential that is not limited term.​​

Oregon DMV stopped issuing, renewing, replacing, reissuing, transferring, upgrading, amending, or correcting limited-term CDLs and CLPs on Sept. 29, 2025. Following approval by the Oregon Transportation Commission, DMV officially ended the program on March 16 and will not reinstate these credentials.​

Current credentials will be valid until the limited-term CDL or CLP expires or is suspended, canceled, revoked, or otherwise withdrawn. DMV cannot renew, replace, or otherwise issue a limited-term CDL or CLP. As of March 16, 2026, DMV also cannot reinstate a credential.​

Yes, drivers with a valid CDL or CLP, regardless of type, can continue to drive commercial vehicles. However, those holding a limited-term CDL or CLP will be unable to renew or replace their credential. ​​

No, the rule does not allow any issuance of limited-term CDLs and CLPs.​​

Oregon DMV would have to seek legislative changes to statutes and then make changes to IT systems, administrative rules, policies, and procedures to restart the issuance of non-domiciled commercial credentials under the new federal rules. A self-audit of our records shows only a tiny number of people who currently have a limited term CDL/CLP would qualify under the new federal rules.​

No. Even though you meet the conditions, Oregon DMV is not permitted to issue any limited-term CDLs or CLPs until we are compliant with the new federal rule.​​

Six months. Oregon DMV does not expect to come into compliance and restart issuances within this timeframe. If a customer receives their permanent resident card within six months, they can still use the CDL test results to apply for a standard full-term CDL.​​

No. Oregon DMV cannot schedule or administer any tests for limited-term CDL or CLP holders or applicants.  ​​