Action
Notice; grant of waiver.
Summary
FMCSA grants a limited 90-day waiver from certain requirements concerning proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residence and domicile to enable State driver licensing agencies (SDLAs) to accept commercial learner's permit (CLP) and commercial driver's license (CDL) applications from individuals relocating from Puerto Rico as a result of hurricanes Irma and Maria. This action is being taken in response to a request from the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) to assist residents of Puerto Rico relocating from the U.S. territory to any of the States in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Through this waiver, the SDLAs may follow the Department of Homeland Security's exception process for persons who, for reasons beyond their control, are unable to present proof of legal permanent residency or U.S. citizenship. Further, this waiver provides a procedure under which persons who intend to domicile in the State of application may receive additional time to provide proof establishing that the State of application is the State of domicile. A CLP document issued under this waiver may not be valid for more than 90 days and must require the applicant to be actively enrolled in a CDL training school within that State. A CDL document issued under this waiver may not be valid for more than six months, by which time the individual is required to provide proof as required under existing regulations that the State that issued the CDL is his/her State of domicile. All other CLP and CDL licensing requirements must be satisfied upon initial issuance of the CLP or CDL. The Agency has determined that the waiver is within the public interest and would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved by complying with the regulation, based on the terms and conditions imposed.