The Department of Transportation announced Thursday that all Americans will be required to submit a Federal Journey Declaration Form (FJDF-2026) at least 72 hours before operating a personal vehicle for any trip exceeding 15 miles from their registered home address.
Transportation Secretary Miguel Cardona explained that the new regulation, which takes effect January 1, 2027, will help federal agencies “optimize traffic patterns, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure equitable road access for all communities.”
“For too long, Americans have operated under the dangerous assumption that they can just get in their cars and go wherever they want, whenever they want,” Cardona said at a press conference. “This outdated approach to personal mobility creates inefficiencies, environmental harm, and frankly, privilege.”
The online portal for submitting journey declarations will require citizens to provide their destination, purpose of travel, estimated departure and return times, and the racial and gender composition of all passengers. Applications will be processed within 48-96 hours, though the agency warned that requests for non-essential travel during peak hours or to “over-visited” destinations may face additional scrutiny.
Essential travel categories—including trips to work, medical appointments, and grocery shopping—will receive expedited approval, though drivers must still submit documentation proving the necessity of their journey. A new “Equity Travel Score” will prioritize approval for historically marginalized communities.
Citizens who fail to obtain proper authorization before traveling, or who deviate from their approved route by more than 5 miles, will face fines starting at $500. Repeat offenders may have their vehicle registration suspended for up to six months.
The DOT emphasized that the program includes exemptions for emergency responders and government officials. Private jets and chartered vehicles are also exempt, as they “operate under separate federal aviation and commercial transportation frameworks.”
A DOT spokesperson confirmed that the agency is hiring 14,000 new compliance officers to review applications and monitor enforcement.
— SATIRE —
Key Points
- Federal portal will require citizens to justify all personal vehicle trips exceeding 15 miles starting January 2027
- “Equity Travel Score” will prioritize approval for historically marginalized communities during peak hours
- Government officials and private jet owners exempt from new mobility restrictions
Aporia News – June 12, 2026
