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New Federal Rules to Renew Your CDL

posted by TrueNorth Transportation on Thursday, October 12, 2017

The following is an official notice issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation regarding federal regulation changes. Please know that if your commercial driver's license is set to expire in the near future, there are now new federal regulations required to renew your CDL. You may also be required to show proof of residency in the state for which you are obtaining your CDL. Please consult your respective state's Department of Transportation for more information:

You now must bring one of the following to prove citizenship or lawful presence: 

• Certified copy of U.S. birth certificate
• Valid U.S. passport
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA)
• Certificate of Naturalization and/or Citizenship
• Permanent resident card (lawful permanent residents)
• Employment authorization document (EAD) or I-94 document (temporary foreign nationals)

You're also required to prove Iowa residency. If your CDL isn't issued by the state of Iowa, please consult your state's Department of Transportation for additional clarity. 

• Use your current CDL as proof or bring a document with your current name and current physical address. 

Get a REAL ID-compliant license (optional)

Considering you must bring the documents above, you're only two steps away from getting a REAL ID license. In addition to the documentation above, you must bring:

• Proof of Social Security Number (SSN)
• Additional proof of your state residency

If your CDL has a gold star in the upper right-hand corner, it's a REAL ID license, and no additional documentation is required. Just bring your current CDL.

*Please note that permanent residents or temporary foreign nationals must provide proof of lawful status whenever issued a license. REAL ID will affect will affect travel beginning October 1, 2020. 

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