When a state declares an emergency, truckers providing direct assistance receive automatic relief from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours-of-service requirements. But should an emergency also extend the validity of a trucker’s CDL?
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles thinks so.
In a notice that is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, June 17, the Virginia DMV asked FMCSA for an exemption that would allow the state to extend the validity of CDLs and commercial learner’s permits during state-declared emergencies.
Under current regulations, a commercial learner’s permit is valid for no more than one year without requiring the holder to retake general and endorsement knowledge tests. Meanwhile, state driver’s license agencies can’t make a CDL valid for more than eight years.
The Virginia DMV seeks permission to extend the validity of CDLs and commercial learner’s permits when the governor has declared an emergency and explicitly authorized extensions.
“The exemption would apply only to individuals who were issued a CDL or commercial learner’s permit after previously presenting proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency,” the notice stated.
According to the Virginia DMV, the exemption is needed because during states of emergency, such as severe weather events and natural disasters, access to DMV facilities and services may be significantly limited.
“Such disruptions may include temporary office closures, reduced staffing levels, system outages, travel restrictions and other safety concerns affecting in-person services, which may prevent otherwise qualified commercial drivers from completing timely renewals through no fault of their own,” the Virginia DMV wrote. “Commercial drivers may face the loss of driving privileges due to circumstances beyond their control, which may result in workforce shortages and disruptions to the transportation of essential goods and services, particularly during emergency response and recovery efforts.”
How to comment
Once the notice is published in the Federal Register, the public will have 30 days to comment on Virginia’s exemption request. To do so, go to Regulations.gov and enter Docket No. FMCSA-2026-0892. LL
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