Overview
- The Transportation Department said California unlawfully issued 17,000 non-domiciled commercial licenses and has notified holders their credentials will lapse in two months.
- FMCSA directed the state to produce a comprehensive audit so federal investigators can verify that improperly issued licenses are removed, citing an audit that found roughly 25% of reviewed non-domiciled CDLs out of compliance across several states.
- The administration has already withheld more than $40 million in highway funds from California and is threatening to pull up to $160 million more over English proficiency and other federal requirements.
- California officials dispute the findings, asserting state procedures match federal standards and noting that CDL fatal crash rates in the state are significantly below the national average.
- Some federal restrictions issued in September are paused in court as the broader enforcement campaign and audit work continue.