In 1989, the governments of the United States and Canada mutually agreed that the testing and issuance of commercial driver's licenses by their respective countries were similar. As a result, the commercial driver's licenses possessed by a United States-domiciled or Canada-domiciled commercial driver shall be mutually recognized, provided the driver possesses the proper license for the vehicle/vehicle combination being operated. Additionally, those drivers are prohibited from obtaining a commercial driver's license in each other's country. Finally, as Canada requires medical certification in their commercial license issuance processes, a Canadian driver who holds the proper license for the vehicle/vehicle combination being operated is not required to possess separate proof of medical certification.

Federal and State law enforcement officials may consult the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's (CVSA) Canadian Driver's License Reference Guide for more information when verifying a driver possesses the proper license for the vehicle they are operating.