FMCSA CDL Verification

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by fodelement, Apr 8, 2026 at 11:41 AM.

  1. fodelement

    fodelement Bobtail Member

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    Hello,

    I got my CDL in NC and have moved to NY. I was offered a position but can't get my license updated in FMCSA, so they can't process my background check. When I try to enter my new license into FMCSA it says...

    upload_2026-4-8_11-39-35.png

    I have confirmed everything is correct. Matter of fact, if I try my NC license number, the verification is successful. So I am under the impression that for some reason CDLIS has not been updated. I moved 4 years ago, so I don't think it's a timing issue but a clerical issue. I have called NY DMV, I have called FMCSA and I have called NC DMV all multiple times. They all just say to call the other person, I am at a loss and think I am going to lose out of this job because of it. Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do? It's been two weeks.

    Thanks!
    Bill
     
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  3. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    fodelement Thanks this.
  4. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    If you moved to NY four years ago and transferred your NC CDL to NY then there should be a CDLIS record. It sounds like NY never cancelled your NC CDL when you surrendered it to NY during the transfer process.

    Can you run a NY MVR and get your NY CDL abstract? This would show that NY had at least completed your transfer at one time. Same thing, can you try to run a NC MVR on your old license? It should show surrendered.

    If the NC CDL is still active then that would cause this issue because CDLIS will only show one active license at a time. Once you determine if you have more than one active CDL, which you shouldn't be able to, then you can work with NY and NC to correct the issue.

    You may need to reach out to the FMCSA Field Office in NY and/or NC if you determine you have two active licenses or your NY CDL can't be found.
     
    tscottme, fodelement and 062 Thank this.
  5. fodelement

    fodelement Bobtail Member

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    Thank you for the information!

    I ran my NY Abstract and it says

    Commercial Status | Valid

    And then it says Active credentials Class | Class A Issue Type Reciprocity (North Carolina) Expires 12/28/2028

    So In NY it is active.

    I just pulled my NC abstract and it says my CDL A INACTIVE: DISQ: CDL Medical Certification Lapse. In 04/2025... but my NY CDL was issued 12/28/2024

    Which was true, my med card was going to expire, but I got a letter from NY letting me know so I renewed it and sent it to them. So did NY not tell NC that my license transferred? I handed over my license to the NY DVM when I got it transferred to NY.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2026 at 7:19 PM
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  6. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    That is what it sounds like to me. At least this gives you a place to start. Your NC CDL should have been canceled on 12/28/2024, but it looks like it stayed valid until the medical wasn't renewed. That also means that FMCSA should have been able to verify your NY CDL since they were able to upload your medical, or did you submit the medical to NY yourself?

    Probably will have to get the FMCSA Field Office involved if NY can't fix this.
     
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