Commercial Driver's Licenses for Immigrants in New Jersey

ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੜ੍ਹੋ।

Know Your Rights

As of March 16, 2026, a new federal rule changed who can receive or renew a Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP).

What Changed? Are you affected?

• Work permits (EADs) are no longer accepted to confirm drivers’ immigration status.
• In New Jersey, NJMVC can only issue or renew these Non-Domiciled CDLs/CLPs for people who are citizens, lawful permanent residents, or have H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas. 

Impacted drivers include:

• Refugee status or Asylum applicants
• DACA recipients
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders
• U- and T-Visas holders
• People with deferred action
• People with humanitarian parole

If you have a valid Non-Domiciled CDL or CLP, you can still drive a commercial vehicle. You may wish to prepare for a potential traffic stop by confirming that your license remains valid.

You may be able to check your license status at nj.gov/mvc/online-services.html

Before You Drive, Know Your Rights

Your license remains valid unless NJMVC downgrades or revokes it. Keep your mailing address and email up to date to receive notices.

If you’re pulled over:

• Remain calm
• You have the right to remain silent.
• You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or country of origin.
• If possible, get the officer’s name, badge number, and agency.
• Write down details or record a voice note about the stop (location, driving conditions, and any other drivers also stopped).

No notice of termination? You should not be penalized for driving, but your vehicle and load could still be impounded, and you may need to find an alternative way of getting home.