States Fight to Keep Their Truck License Power

A group called SBTC wants the federal government to remove New York and California’s authority to issue commercial driver licenses (CDLs). They argue that both states are not following federal safety rules. The main question is whether a law says the government must cancel a state’s license program when it finds big problems. SBTC also says the Department of Transportation (DOT) took too long to act on their request. A lawyer, Greg Reed, says the case hinges on a single word in the law: “shall. ” He believes the DOT still has many choices about how to enforce the rules. The law gives the DOT tools like cutting off highway money while states fix issues, not an immediate cut‑off of licenses. No state has ever been forced to lose its license program before. Reed says this would be a first, and courts usually avoid forcing such a dramatic move. SBTC’s petition may also be more about sending a message than winning in court.

They point to a tragic bus crash involving a New York driver as proof that change is needed, but courts look for clear legal harm. If the court agreed and stopped New York or California from issuing new CDLs, it would hurt many people. These states issue the most licenses in the country. Stopping new drivers would slow truck traffic and hurt businesses. Existing drivers with valid licenses would stay fine until their cards expire. Only new applications, renewals, and upgrades would be affected. The DOT could still guide truck inspectors on how to handle drivers from a state that loses its program. Some states let drivers get licenses from other places, but not all do this. SBTC has filed the case in July and listed the specific legal questions it wants answered, like whether the transportation secretary must act right away. California’s motor‑vehicle office said it would not comment, calling the matter federal. The DOT and FMCSA have not yet replied to questions.

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