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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has intensified federal scrutiny over how states issue Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), particularly to immigrants. Duffy began a nationwide CDL crackdown. 

Following a high-profile audit, Duffy announced that California will revoke 17,000 CDLs issued to noncitizens amid allegations that the state failed to enforce federal licensing and immigration standards.
Transportation Department News Release | California DMV CDL Policy Overview

California Caught in the Crossfire

California is now the first state to face direct federal penalties after a nationwide CDL audit initiated by Duffy uncovered licensing irregularities.

“After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed,” Duffy said. “Now that we’ve exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked. This is just the tip of the iceberg.”

The California Department of Motor Vehicles defended its licensing standards, saying the revoked drivers had valid federal work authorizations.

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“Once again, the Sean ‘Road Rules’ Duffy fails to share the truth — spreading easily disproven falsehoods in a sad and desperate attempt to please his dear leader,” Newsom’s spokesman Brandon Richards countered.

The revocations follow a deadly series of truck crashes in Florida, Texas, and California involving drivers in the country illegally, which Duffy cited as justification for the crackdown.

Federal Funding at Stake

In addition to revoking licenses, Duffy announced financial penalties against California. The state has already lost $40 million in federal transportation funding and could forfeit an additional $160 million if it fails to comply fully.
Duffy accused the state of ignoring English language testing requirements and federal verification standards.

Full Federal Audit Report – DOT

Governor Gavin Newsom, however, insisted that California’s actions are based on state law violations, not federal pressure. “This is about compliance with our own system — not politics,” Newsom said.

New CDL Restrictions for Immigrants

Under Duffy’s September 2025 CDL rule changes, only noncitizens holding H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visas will qualify for commercial licenses. These CDLs will last a maximum of one year or until the visa expires, whichever comes first.

That means just 10,000 of the 200,000 immigrant drivers currently licensed nationwide would still qualify under the new policy. States are now required to verify immigration status using a federal database before issuing or renewing a CDL.

The rules are not retroactive, so most existing immigrant CDL holders will keep their licenses until renewal. However, the California drivers affected by the audit have been notified that their licenses will expire in 60 days.

Shutdown Delays Broader Review

Duffy said a government shutdown has delayed similar CDL audits in other states, but he vowed to continue the nationwide review. “My team will continue to force every state to prove they’ve removed illegal immigrants from behind the wheel of semitrucks and school buses,” he said.

National Implications

The CDL audit has sparked a broader political debate over immigration, labor, and safety in the trucking industry. Republican leaders are urging investigations into alleged “trucker licensing mills,” while critics accuse the administration of targeting immigrant workers during a driver shortage.

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