---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 U.S.C. § 31312"
title: "49"
title_heading: "Transportation"
number: "31312"
heading: "Decertification authority"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/49/31312"
units:
  - "Subtitle VI — Motor Vehicle and Driver Programs"
  - "Part B — Commercial"
  - "Chapter 313 — Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators"
---

# §31312. Decertification authority

- (a) **In General.—** If the Secretary of Transportation determines that a [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12) is in substantial noncompliance with this chapter, the Secretary shall issue an order to—
  - (1) prohibit that [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12) from carrying out licensing procedures under this chapter; and
  - (2) prohibit that [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12) from issuing any commercial driver’s licenses until such time the Secretary determines such [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12) is in substantial compliance with this chapter.
- (b) **Effect on Other States.—** A [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12) (other than a [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12) subject to an order under [subsection (a)](#a)) may issue a non-resident commercial driver’s license to an individual domiciled in a [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12) that is prohibited from such activities under [subsection (a)](#a) if that individual meets all requirements of this chapter and the nonresident licensing requirements of the issuing [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12).
- (c) **Previously Issued Licenses.—** Nothing in this section shall be construed as invalidating or otherwise affecting commercial driver’s licenses issued by a [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12) before the date of issuance of an order under [subsection (a)](#a) with respect to the [State](/usc/49/30102.md?p=a-12).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 106–159, title II, § 203(a), Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1762.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 31312, Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1025, related to grants for testing and ensuring the fitness of operators of commercial motor vehicles, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–178, title IV, § 4011(f), June 9, 1998, 112 Stat. 408.