Amid the ongoing federal crackdown on non-domiciled CDLs, the United States Postal Service announced Jan. 5 that it aims to comply with the DOT’s proposed policies by increasing vetting of non-domiciled truck drivers hauling for USPS contractors.
USPS said it will begin working with its contracted trucking companies “to phase out any use of non-domiciled CDL operators who have not been thoroughly vetted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.”
The Postal Service “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.”
[Related: DOT hopes to force 194,000 non-domiciled CDL holders out of trucking]
USPS added that the move is consistent with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s interim final rule published in September, which is currently on pause due to ongoing litigation. That rule, as reported in depth in recent months in Overdrive, would limit the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs to holders of specific employment-based visas (H-2A, H-2B, and E-2). It would also require in-person renewals with proof of lawful status -- such as a passport or I-94/95A -- and mandate that states verify this information through the federal SAVE system.
“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.”
[Related: California faces $160M loss after refusing to revoke 20,000 wrongly issued non-domiciled CDLs]
USPS did not provide additional details on what the new vetting process will entail.
By tightening the use of non-domiciled CDL drivers by third-party (contracted) providers, USPS said it aims to improve transportation safety and accountability and add yet another layer of protection and safety.
[Related: FMCSA's non-domiciled CDL rule in limbo after court grants emergency stay motion]
More than 5,000 Overdrive readers responded to a late-2025 survey with views on the FMCSA's emergency final rule around non-domiciled CDL issuance, and its potential rates impact. 88% of respondents expressed support for the rule. Download the full report showing all results by citizenship status of the driver via the form below.
