# 2026-00318: Virginia Drivers' SPE Exemption Renewed for Safe Hauls

2026-00318, Qualification of Drivers: Skill Performance Evaluation Program; Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Application for Exemption Renewal, is a Federal Register notice from Transportation Department, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published 2026-01-12, effective 2026-01-08 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00318
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00318
- Title: Qualification of Drivers: Skill Performance Evaluation Program; Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Application for Exemption Renewal
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 1230
- Published: 2026-01-12
- Effective: 2026-01-08
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Virginia Drivers' SPE Exemption Renewed for Safe Hauls

## Summary

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is renewing an exemption for Virginia truck and bus drivers who need a special Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate to drive commercial vehicles across state lines. This renewal keeps the rules safe and fair, effective from January 8, 2026, to July 8, 2027. Drivers in Virginia can keep rolling without extra hassle, and no new costs are expected.

## Abstract

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemption for truck and bus drivers who are licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia and need a Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) Certificate to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMV) in interstate commerce. FMCSA has analyzed the exemption renewal application and the public comment and has determined that the exemption, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, is likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved in the absence of the exemption.

## Effects PRIA read

- Virginia SPE Certificates Remain Valid: benefit, high. FMCSA renewed the exemption letting the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VA DMV) issue Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificates that allow Virginia-licensed drivers with a limb impairment or loss to operate commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce. The renewal is effective Janu…
- State-Issued SPE Treated As FMCSA Certificate: benefit, low. While the exemption is in effect, a State-issued VA DMV SPE certificate is treated as if it had been issued by FMCSA, and other States may not require a separate FMCSA-issued SPE for drivers operating under this exemption.
- Must Carry SPE Certificate While Driving: cost, low. Each driver who receives a State-issued SPE certificate must carry a copy of the certificate when driving and present it to authorized Federal, State, or local law enforcement officials upon request.
- Exemption Can Be Rescinded for Noncompliance: cost, medium. FMCSA can rescind the exemption if the VA DMV or drivers fail to comply with the exemption's terms, if the exemption lowers safety, or if continuing it would conflict with FMCSA objectives. Rescission would end VA DMV authority to issue SPE certificates under this exemption.
- No New Costs Expected for Drivers: benefit, low. The notice states that drivers in Virginia can continue operating under the VA DMV SPE program without extra hassle and that no new costs are expected as a result of this renewal for the effective period January 8, 2026, through July 8, 2027.

## Related documents

- [2026-08144](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08144): Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures, 2026-04-27
- [2026-20734](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20734): Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Application for Exemption From Aurora Operations, Inc (USDOT #341156), 2026-10-09
- [2026-20649](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20649): Qualification of Drivers; Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance; Application for Exemption, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20524](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20524): Agency Information Collection Activities; New Information Collection: Hours of Service of Drivers; Pilot Program To Allow Commercial Driver…, 2026-10-07
- [2026-20476](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20476): Agency Information Collection Activities; New Information Collection: Hours of Service of Drivers: Pilot Program To Allow Commercial Driver…, 2026-10-06
- [2026-20325](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20325): Clarification to the Applicability of Emergency Exemptions; Response to Petitions for Reconsideration, 2026-10-05

## Sources
- [2026-00318 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00318/qualification-of-drivers-skill-performance-evaluation-program-virginia-department-of-motor-vehicles)
- [2026-00318 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-12/pdf/2026-00318.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00317, Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting; Correction](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00317)
- [Next: 2026-00319, Land Between the Lakes Advisory Board](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00319)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00318 (as of 2026-06-08).