Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
US Threatens to Pull $160 Million from California Over CDL Violations
News
By News
Published 3 hours ago on
December 31, 2025

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy holds a press conference on the impact of the government shutdown on air travel, at LaGuardia Airport in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S., October 28, 2025. (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday he will revoke $160 million in federal funds from California, accusing the state of improperly issuing commercial driver’s licenses to noncitizens, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Federal investigators found 25% of reviewed licenses were issued incorrectly, potentially allowing 60,000 noncitizens to operate fuel tankers, school buses, and other commercial vehicles.

Duffy cited three fatal crashes linked to immigrant truck drivers and new federal rules restricting license eligibility for noncitizens.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has not responded to the announcement but previously defended the state’s CDL practices, noting lower crash rates among California commercial drivers compared with national and Texas averages.

The enforcement action follows a nationwide audit prompted by a deadly Florida crash involving an unlicensed driver.

Only certain visa holders are now eligible for CDLs under updated federal requirements, which include verifying immigration status and enforcing English-language proficiency.

Read more at the Los Angeles Times. 

RELATED TOPICS:

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend