Overview
- California planned to restart issuance on Dec. 17 after correcting mismatched expiration dates between commercial licenses and federal work permits, but DOT halted the move on Dec. 16, state officials said.
- Notices went to about 17,000–20,000 drivers warning of revocations in early January, including many with current work authorization documents.
- DMV leaders say their system now ensures licenses expire on or before work permits and that they are ready to issue corrected cards, while DOT has not explained its objection.
- The FMCSA emergency rule issued in September to bar most asylum seekers and other immigrants from non‑domiciled CDLs is paused by a D.C. court order, yet audits and funding threats exceeding $150 million to California continue.
- Unions and advocates cite risks to jobs, truck loans and supply chains, with Sikh truckers heavily affected, as similar federal reviews extend to New York and Minnesota.