A major legal conflict is unfolding in California regarding commercial driver's licenses (CDL). A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) concerning the planned cancellation of nearly 20,000 licenses for professional drivers. The case has already attracted the attention of federal regulators and could have implications for the entire trucking industry.
According to the industry publication FreightWaves, the lawsuit was filed in Alameda County court. The plaintiffs claim that the DMV intends to annul CDLs due to administrative errors by the agency itself, related to so-called "limited-term" licenses issued to drivers with temporary immigration status.
The issue is not about violations by the drivers, but about discrepancies between the validity periods of CDLs and documents regarding the right to stay in the U.S. According to the plaintiffs' representatives, many drivers "have conscientiously completed all procedures and exams," but now risk losing their jobs.
The conflict escalated after an audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In an official letter following the annual audit sent to state authorities, the FMCSA pointed out "substantial noncompliance" with federal requirements in the issuance of CDLs in California (FMCSA).
In the document dated 2025, the federal agency notes systemic errors in verifying the legal status of applicants and warns: if the violations are not corrected, the state may face sanctions up to the restriction of federal funding for road infrastructure.
California DMV, for its part, states that it is working to align procedures with federal rules and has already made changes to the policy for issuing limited-term licenses. The agency emphasizes that the cancellation of CDLs is considered a necessary measure to comply with FMCSA requirements. Information about these changes is published on the official California DMV.
Meanwhile, the lawsuit claims that even under federal pressure, the DMV is obliged to comply with state laws and guarantee drivers the right to reapply without automatic loss of their license.
If the court sides with the plaintiffs, the DMV may be required to:
- suspend the mass cancellation of CDLs,
- allow immediate reissuance of licenses,
- review administrative procedures.
Otherwise, California risks temporarily removing thousands of experienced drivers from the industry. For logistics and trucking, this means a potential workforce shortage, delivery delays, and increased costs.
The legal proceedings are just beginning, while negotiations between the state and the FMCSA continue. The outcome of the case will be an indicator of how federal safety requirements and drivers' rights to protection from bureaucratic errors will be balanced. For CDL holders and transport companies, the situation remains uncertain, but it is already clear: this case could set an important precedent for the entire U.S.