05/15/2026
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has approved an exemption allowing State Driver’s Licensing Agencies to issue non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to eligible citizens of the Freely Associated States residing in the United States.
The exemption, effective May 14, 2026, through May 14, 2031, allows eligible citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia to obtain and renew non-domiciled CDLs, subject to annual renewal requirements. Applicants must present a valid, unexpired FSM passport and Form I-94 documentation.
Eligible individuals must:
• Reside in the U.S.
• Possess a valid, unexpired passport issued by a Freely Associated State
• Hold a valid Form I-94 or I-94A
This action helps expand workforce opportunities and supports greater access to commercial driving careers for citizens of the Freely Associated States living and working in communities across the United States.
Leadership from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs advocated for this change at the request of the Freely Associated State governments, supporting efforts to reduce barriers to employment and strengthen economic opportunity for FAS citizens residing in the United States.
