Sacramento, CA – Approximately 13,000 California commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) held by non-domiciled individuals were canceled Friday, March 6, 2026, at the direction of the federal government, according to a statement released by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The cancellations affect drivers who are not U.S. Citizens or lawful permanent residents, including visa holders, refugees, and asylees. While federal law permits these individuals to obtain a CDL, the DMV found that the licenses were issued with incorrect expiration dates.
The DMV stated that all affected drivers had already been notified of the impending cancellation. The situation stems from a disagreement with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) over the correction of these licenses, leaving thousands of truckers in a precarious position. This action has sparked concerns about potential disruptions to the supply chain and the livelihoods of impacted drivers. The core issue revolves around ensuring compliance with both state and federal regulations regarding the validity of work authorization documents linked to these commercial licenses.
Federal Intervention Halts CDL Reissuance
The DMV had attempted to rectify the expiration date errors and reissue corrected CDLs, but the FMCSA blocked this effort. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit subsequently denied an emergency stay requested by the DMV that would have allowed the reissuance of corrected licenses without fear of federal repercussions, according to the DMV’s press release. This leaves affected drivers unable to legally operate commercial vehicles in California.
Despite a recent Alameda County Superior Court ruling in the case of Doe v. Department of Motor Vehicles, which requires the DMV to accept applications for reissuance from those who received cancellation notices, the department remains unable to process these applications due to the FMCSA’s “pause” on non-domiciled CDL issuance. All applications will remain pending for up to one year while the DMV awaits further guidance from the federal government. Affected drivers who wish to reapply will be required to pay a non-refundable application fee and will receive a temporary non-commercial Class C driver’s license while their application is pending.
Impacted Drivers Must Seek Alternative Licenses
The DMV is urging impacted drivers who wish to continue operating non-commercial vehicles, such as passenger cars and light-duty trucks, to apply for a standard Class C California driver’s license. Priority appointments are available by calling (916) 306-5153. Applicants will necessitate to pay the required fee, pass a vision test, and have a latest photograph taken. A list of required documents can be found on the California DMV website.
“This federal administration is using their war on immigration to remove qualified, hardworking commercial drivers from our workforce who meet language and safety rules,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “There are no guarantees that additional solutions will become available to help these drivers and their employers but, in the meantime, there are immediate actions they must accept to get a Class C license to be able to drive regular cars.”
The DMV emphasizes that most tasks can be completed online through its online services and encourages customers to utilize these resources to avoid in-person visits. Customers can also use the DMV’s Service Advisor tool to determine the best way to complete their transactions.
The situation highlights a growing tension between state and federal authorities regarding immigration policy and its impact on essential industries. The cancellation of these CDLs raises questions about the future of these drivers and the potential consequences for California’s trucking industry. The DMV maintains It’s compliant with both state and federal law and asserts that the onus is now on the federal government to allow the processing of applications and the issuance of licenses to eligible drivers.
What comes next hinges on the FMCSA’s decision to lift its mandated “pause” on issuing non-domiciled CDLs. Until that happens, thousands of drivers remain in limbo, and the state’s trucking capacity could be significantly affected. The DMV continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available.
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