CDL Crackdown Puts Freight on Edge as California Axes 17,000 Trucker Licenses

California has revoked approximately 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) after a federal
audit found that the state failed to ensure license holders maintained valid legal status in
November, a move that industry leaders warn could disrupt freight movement and raise
transportation costs.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed that the affected licenses belonged to
drivers whose work authorization documents had expired. Federal regulations require that non-
U.S. citizens’ CDLs expire on the same date as their immigration or work authorization
documents.

The mass revocation followed an audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA), which determined that California had not been properly verifying ongoing legal status
for CDL holders. The DMV began notifying drivers on November 6 that their licenses would be
canceled within 60 days unless updated documentation was provided.

While the state said the action was necessary to comply with federal law, trucking industry
officials warned that the timing and scale of the cancellations could have serious economic
consequences.

FreightWaves reported that removing thousands of licensed truckers from the road could
sharply reduce capacity at a time when supply chains are still recovering from years of
disruption. Analysts say the move could intensify driver shortages, particularly in California, one
of the country’s most critical freight hubs for imports, exports, and agricultural shipments.

A related report also noted that similar restrictions across multiple states could render as many
as 194,000 drivers ineligible for work over the next two years. The publication said that such
measures would “cripple supply lines and raise costs,” as carriers struggle to recruit
replacements and manage higher operating expenses.

Recruiting and training new drivers typically costs between $7,000 and $20,000 per hire,
according to the American Trucking Associations. Carriers often pass these expenses down the
chain, resulting in higher shipping rates that can push up consumer prices.

Experts warned that the fallout from California’s action could spread beyond state borders. With
the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland serving as major gateways for goods
entering the U.S., even a small drop in available drivers could delay deliveries nationwide.

The DMV said it continues to work with federal authorities to ensure compliance while giving
affected drivers an opportunity to update their records. But industry representatives argue that
the state’s sudden enforcement could sideline experienced drivers and exacerbate an already
fragile logistics network.