§ 31312. Decertification authority

• (a) If the Secretary of Transportation determines that a State is in substantial noncompliance with this chapter, the Secretary shall issue an order to—
  • (1) prohibit that State from carrying out licensing procedures under this chapter; and
  • (2) prohibit that State from issuing any commercial driver’s licenses until such time the Secretary determines such State is in substantial compliance with this chapter.
• (b) A State (other than a State subject to an order under subsection (a)) may issue a non-resident commercial driver’s license to an individual domiciled in a State that is prohibited from such activities under subsection (a) if that individual meets all requirements of this chapter and the nonresident licensing requirements of the issuing State.
• (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as invalidating or otherwise affecting commercial driver’s licenses issued by a State before the date of issuance of an order under subsection (a) with respect to the State.