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Bill

B 26-0554

Commercial Driver’s License Amendment Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

DC’s CDL law is updated to align with federal FMCSA standards on who is disqualified, keeping DC CDLs valid with current federal rules.

Committee Mark-up of B26-0554 by the Transportation and the Environment Committee
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Bill Summary · B 26-0554

Overview

  • Bill: B 26-0554
  • Session: 26
  • Jurisdiction: District of Columbia
  • Title: Commercial Driver’s License Amendment Act of 2025
  • Purpose: Update DC statutes governing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) to align with current federal law and FMCSA standards, and revise disqualification provisions for CDL holders.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Harmonize District of Columbia CDL law with federal law and regulations.
  • Replace outdated references to the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 with current federal citations.
  • Conform disqualification standards to the federal framework, ensuring DC can continue issuing and maintaining CDLs without conflicts with federal requirements.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • References updated to current federal law:
    • Replace references to the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 with 49 U.S.C. § 31309 (and related sections).
    • Update references in DC Official Code sections that govern CDL eligibility and disqualifications to align with 49 U.S.C. §§ 31305, 31309, 31311 and related CFRs.
  • Disqualification standards (Section 7):
    • Mayor shall disqualify a CDL holder for offenses specified in 49 C.F.R. § 383.51 (convictions).
    • Imminent hazard findings trigger disqualification under 49 C.F.R. § 383.52(a) with durations per 49 C.F.R. § 383.52(b)-(c).
    • Falsification of information under 49 C.F.R. § 383.73(j) leads to at least the minimum disqualification period per that section.
    • Convictions for fraud related to CDL/CLP issuance or failure to timely retake knowledge/skills tests (or retesting after suspected fraud) per 49 C.F.R. § 383.73(k) result in disqualification for the applicable period.
  • General alignment:
    • Repeals or supersedes DC-specific disqualification parameters by cross-referencing federal standards.
    • Ensures consistency with FMCSA regulations (e.g., 49 C.F.R. Part 383; CFR references cited in the bill).

Who Would Be Affected

  • CDL holders in the District of Columbia, including those with commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) and endorsements.
  • DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) operations, testing, and enforcement personnel, which would implement and administer the updated standards.
  • Employers and applicants relying on DC CDLs, as the verification and enforcement standards would reflect federal disqualification criteria.
  • The City’s funding/administrative processes, since the fiscal impact is addressed in the plan (below).

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Effective Date: The act takes effect after Mayoral approval (or Council action to override a veto), followed by a 30-day Congressional review period and District Register publication.
  • Fiscal Impact:
    • CFO analysis indicates funding is sufficient for fiscal years 2026–2029 (covering 2026–2029 and beyond in the plan) to implement the bill.
    • DMV can implement changes within existing resources; changes are intended to keep DC law aligned with federal standards without frequent future amendments.
  • Legislative History Highlights:
    • The bill builds on prior iterations (notably B25-0671 and B25-0674 family), with Committee on Transportation and the Environment reviewing and issuing a favorable report with amendments.
    • Legal sufficiency: DC Attorney General concluded the bill is legally sufficient.
    • Racial Equity Impact Assessments (REIA) conducted:
    • Introduced version and committee print both concluded negligible or minimal disparate impact on residents of color; changes are technical/conforming in nature.
  • Administrative Process:
    • 30-day Congressional review after mayoral approval.
    • Publication in the DC Register to finalize the act.

Fiscal and Legal Considerations

  • The fiscal impact statement confirms adequate resources through FY2029 to implement the changes.
  • Legal sufficiency reviews support the bill as a proper modernization of DC law to conform with federal CDL standards.

Summary in Plain Terms

Bill 26-0554 updates DC’s CDL law so it matches federal rules about who can drive CMVs, what offenses lead to disqualification, and how long suspensions last. It replaces old DC-specific references with current federal citations, ensuring the District remains compliant with FMCSA requirements and continues to issue CDLs without needing frequent statutory amendments. The act is funded to be implemented through 2026–2029 and is considered legally sufficient and racially neutral in its impact.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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