§FMCSR.com
Historical textIn force on Oct. 1, 1998Source: annual CFR editions 1996–2000

§ 383.73 State procedures.

Wording first on file in the 1996 annual edition, superseded by the 2001 annual edition.

govinfo, 1998 edition ↗
Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 1998 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 1998 and Oct. 1, 1998 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates.
49 CFR § 383.73 — State procedures.. Text in force on October 1, 1998. This wording effective October 1, 1996 to October 1, 2001. Source: govinfo, 1998 edition, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-1998-title49-vol4/CFR-1998-title49-vol4-sec383-73. Retrieved from FMCSR.com, https://fmcsr.com/reg/383.73?asof=1998-10-01, on October 26, 2026. Unofficial compilation; verify against the official source.

(a) Initial licensure. Prior to issuing a CDL to a person, a State shall:

(1) Require the driver applicant to certify, pass tests, and provide information as described in §§ 383.71(a) (1) through (6);

(2) Check that the vehicle in which the applicant takes his/her test is representative of the vehicle group the applicant has certified that he/she operates or expects to operate;

(3) Initiate and complete a check of the applicant's driving record to ensure that the person is not subject to any disqualification, suspensions, revocations, or cancellations as contained in § 383.51 and that the person does not have a driver's license from more than one State. The record check shall include but not be limited to the following:

(i) A check of the applicant's driving record as maintained by his/her current State of licensure, if any;

(ii) A check with the CDLIS to determine whether the driver applicant already has a CDL, whether the applicant's license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled, or if the applicant has been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle; and

(iii) A check with the National Driver Register (NDR), when it is determined to be operational by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator, to determine whether the driver applicant has:

(A) Been disqualified from operating a motor vehicle (other than a commercial motor vehicle);

(B) Had a license (other than CDL) suspended, revoked, or canceled for cause in the 3-year period ending on the date of application; or

(C) Been convicted of any offenses contained in section 205(a)(3) of the National Drivers Register Act of 1982 (23 U.S.C. 401 note); and

(4) Require the driver applicant, if he/she has moved from another State, to surrender his/her driver's license issued by another State.

(b) License transfers. Prior to issuing a CDL to a person who has a CDL from another State, a State shall:

(1) Require the driver applicant to make the certifications contained in § 383.71(a);

(2) Complete a check of the driver applicant's record as contained in § 383.73(a)(3);

(3) Request and receive updates of information specified in subpart J of this part;

(4) If such applicant wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, ensure that the driver has, within the 2 years preceding the transfer, either:

(i) Passed the test for such endorsement specified in § 383.121; or

(ii) Successfully completed a hazardous materials test or training that is given by a third party and that is deemed by the State to substantially cover the same knowledge base as that described in § 383.121; and

(5) Obtain the CDL issued by the applicant's previous State of domicile.

(c) License Renewals. Prior to renewing any CDL a State shall:

(1) Require the driver applicant to make the certifications contained in § 383.71(a);

(2) Complete a check of the driver applicant's record as contained in § 383.73(a)(3);

(3) Request and receive updates of information specified in subpart J of this part; and

(4) If such applicant wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, require the driver to pass the test for such endorsement specified in § 383.121.

(d) License upgrades. Prior to issuing an upgrade of a CDL, a State shall:

(1) Require such driver applicant to provide certifications and pass tests as described in § 383.71(d); and

(2) Complete a check of the driver applicant's record as described in § 383.73(a)(3).

(e) Nonresident CDL. A State may issue a Nonresident CDL to a person domiciled in a foreign country if the Administrator has determined that the commercial motor vehicle testing and licensing standards in the foreign jurisdiction of domicile do not meet the standards contained in this part. State procedures for the issuance of a nonresident CDL, for any modifications thereto, and for notifications to the CDLIS shall at a minimum be identical to those pertaining to any other CDL, with the following exceptions:

(1) If the applicant is requesting a transfer of his/her Nonresident CDL, the State shall obtain the Nonresident CDL currently held by the applicant and issued by another State;

(2) The State shall add the word “Nonresident” to the face of the CDL, in accordance with § 383.153(b); and

(3) The State shall have established, prior to issuing any Nonresident CDL, the practical capability of disqualifying the holder of any Nonresident CDL, by withdrawing, suspending, canceling, and revoking his/her Nonresident CDL as if the Nonresident CDL were a CDL issued to a resident of the State.

(f) License issuance. After the State has completed the procedures described in § 383.73 (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e), it may issue a CDL to the driver applicant. The State shall notify the operator of the CDLIS of such issuance, transfer, renewal, or upgrade within the 10-day period beginning on the date of license issuance.

(g) Penalties for false information. If a State determines, in its check of an applicant's license status and record prior to issuing a CDL, or at any time after the CDL is issued, that the applicant has falsified information contained in subpart J of this part or any of the certifications required in § 383.71(a), the State shall at a minimum suspend, cancel, or revoke the person's CDL or his/her pending application, or disqualify the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a period of at least 60 consecutive days.

(h) Reciprocity. A State shall allow any person who has a valid CDL which is not suspended, revoked, or canceled, and who is not disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle, to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the State.

(i) Alternative procedures. A State may implement alternative procedures to the certification requirements of § 383.71(a) (1), (4), and (6), provided those procedures ensure that the driver meets the requirements of those paragraphs.

[53 FR 27649, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 40788, Oct. 3, 1989]

Amendment history

35 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1996
  1. March 16, 2026 → presenteCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011]
  2. Feb. 13, 2026 → March 16, 2026eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011]
  3. Sept. 29, 2025 → Feb. 13, 2026eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011]
  4. Sept. 29, 2022 → Sept. 29, 2025eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011]
  5. Nov. 8, 2021 → Sept. 29, 2022eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018; 83 FR 65571, Dec. 21, 2018; 84 FR 68057, Dec. 13, 2019; 85 FR 6100, Feb. 4, 2020; 86 FR 32649, June 22, 2021; 86 FR 55742, Oct. 7, 2021; 86 FR 57070, Oct. 14, 2021; 86 FR 59872, Oct. 29, 2021]
  6. Oct. 29, 2021 → Nov. 8, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018; 83 FR 65571, Dec. 21, 2018; 84 FR 68057, Dec. 13, 2019; 85 FR 6100, Feb. 4, 2020; 86 FR 32649, June 22, 2021; 86 FR 57070, Oct. 14, 2021]
  7. Oct. 14, 2021 → Oct. 29, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018; 83 FR 65571, Dec. 21, 2018; 84 FR 68057, Dec. 13, 2019; 85 FR 6100, Feb. 4, 2020; 86 FR 32649, June 22, 2021; 86 FR 57070, Oct. 14, 2021]
  8. Oct. 7, 2021 → Oct. 14, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018; 83 FR 65571, Dec. 21, 2018; 84 FR 68057, Dec. 13, 2019; 85 FR 6100, Feb. 4, 2020; 86 FR 32649, June 22, 2021]
  9. June 22, 2021 → Oct. 7, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018; 83 FR 65571, Dec. 21, 2018; 84 FR 68057, Dec. 13, 2019; 85 FR 6100, Feb. 4, 2020; 86 FR 32649, June 22, 2021]
  10. Feb. 4, 2020 → June 22, 2021eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018; 83 FR 65571, Dec. 21, 2018; 84 FR 68057, Dec. 13, 2019; 85 FR 6100, Feb. 4, 2020]
  11. Dec. 13, 2019 → Feb. 4, 2020eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018; 83 FR 65571, Dec. 21, 2018; 84 FR 68057, Dec. 13, 2019]
  12. Feb. 19, 2019 → Dec. 13, 2019eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018; 83 FR 65571, Dec. 21, 2018]
  13. Dec. 21, 2018 → Feb. 19, 2019eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018]
  14. June 21, 2018 → Dec. 21, 2018eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018; 83 FR 28781, June 21, 2018]
  15. June 18, 2018 → June 21, 2018eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017; 83 FR 22876, May 17, 2018]
  16. May 17, 2018 → June 18, 2018eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017]
  17. June 23, 2017 → May 17, 2018eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016; 82 FR 2916, Jan. 10, 2017]
  18. June 5, 2017 → June 23, 2017eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016; 81 FR 88803, Dec. 8, 2016]
  19. May 23, 2017 → June 5, 2017eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016]
  20. March 21, 2017 → May 23, 2017eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016]
  21. Feb. 1, 2017 → March 21, 2017eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016]
  22. Jan. 17, 2017 → Feb. 1, 2017eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015; 81 FR 87730, Dec. 5, 2016]
  23. Jan. 1, 2017 → Jan. 17, 2017eCFR, day-precisediff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015]
  24. Oct. 1, 2015 → Jan. 1, 2017annual editions 2015–2016diff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013; 79 FR 59456, Oct. 2, 2014; 80 FR 22810, Apr. 23, 2015; 80 FR 35577, June 22, 2015; 80 FR 59072, Oct. 1, 2015]
  25. Oct. 1, 2014 → Oct. 1, 2015annual edition 2014diff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013]
  26. Oct. 1, 2013 → Oct. 1, 2014annual edition 2013diff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012; 78 FR 17880, Mar. 25, 2013; 78 FR 58480, Sept. 24, 2013]
  27. Oct. 1, 2012 → Oct. 1, 2013annual edition 2012diff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011, as amended at 77 FR 24127, Apr. 20, 2012]
  28. Oct. 1, 2011 → Oct. 1, 2012annual edition 2011diff vs. previous
    [76 FR 26883, May 9, 2011]
  29. Oct. 1, 2010 → Oct. 1, 2011annual edition 2010diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 27649, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 40788, Oct. 3, 1989; 67 FR 49760, July 31, 2002; 68 FR 23850, May 5, 2003; 73 FR 73124, Dec. 1, 2008, 75 FR 28501, May 21, 2010]
  30. Oct. 1, 2009 → Oct. 1, 2010annual edition 2009diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 27649, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 40788, Oct. 3, 1989; 67 FR 49760, July 31, 2002; 68 FR 23850, May 5, 2003; 73 FR 73124, Dec. 1, 2008]
  31. Oct. 1, 2008 → Oct. 1, 2009annual edition 2008diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 27649, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 40788, Oct. 3, 1989; 67 FR 49760, July 31, 2002; 68 FR 23850, May 5, 2003]
  32. Oct. 1, 2003 → Oct. 1, 2008annual editions 2003–2007diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 27649, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 40788, Oct. 3, 1989; 67 FR 49760, July 31, 2002; 68 FR 23850, May 5, 2003]
  33. Oct. 1, 2002 → Oct. 1, 2003annual edition 2002diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 27649, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 40788, Oct. 3, 1989; 67 FR 49760, July 31, 2002]
  34. Oct. 1, 2001 → Oct. 1, 2002annual edition 2001diff vs. previous
    [53 FR 27649, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 40788, Oct. 3, 1989]
  35. Oct. 1, 1996 → Oct. 1, 2001annual editions 1996–2000viewing
    [53 FR 27649, July 21, 1988, as amended at 54 FR 40788, Oct. 3, 1989]

A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section.