USPS to Enforce Stricter Vetting of Non-Domiciled Truck Drivers

According to a recent report from FreightWaves, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced plans to require trucking contractors to eliminate the use of non-domiciled commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders who have not been thoroughly vetted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The move reflects growing federal concerns about trucking safety and licensing oversight.

This policy aligns with a broader Department of Transportation (DOT) crackdown aimed at restricting eligibility for non-domiciled CDL holders, including asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients. In 2024, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an interim rule to tighten these requirements, though a federal appeals court has temporarily paused its implementation pending further justification.

USPS has not detailed how the policy will be enforced or what impact it may have on contractors. However, the agency emphasized safety as its top priority. The Postal Service manages one of the nation’s largest logistics networks, handling about 55,000 truckload movements daily across nearly 2 billion miles each year.

Critics argue there is no evidence proving non-domiciled immigrant drivers are less safe and warn the policy could worsen existing driver shortages. As USPS moves forward, contractors and industry stakeholders await clearer guidance on compliance and enforcement.