WASHINGTON D.C. – The state of California is revoking 17,000 commercial driver's licences (CDLs) issued to immigrant drivers, a move that has ignited a sharp political conflict between the state and the U.S. federal government. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) confirmed on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, that the licences were improperly issued with expiration dates that extended beyond the holders' legal authorisation to be in the United States.

The holders of the affected licences have been sent notices informing them that their permits will expire in 60 days. This action follows a nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

Federal Audit and Political Fallout

The federal audit was intensified following a tragic road accident in August 2025, where a truck driver, who was reportedly in the country illegally, caused a crash in Florida that resulted in three fatalities. This incident prompted the Trump administration to increase scrutiny on states that issue licences to non-citizens.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the revocations in a press statement on Thursday, November 13, 2025, framing it as a victory for public safety. “After weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong, Gavin Newsom and California have been caught red-handed,” Duffy stated. He accused the state of having “illegally issued” the licences “to dangerous foreign drivers” and vowed continued federal pressure. The USDOT has threatened to withhold up to $160 million in federal highway funding if California does not fully comply with federal regulations.

In stark contrast, the office of California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, has pushed back against the federal narrative. A spokesperson for the governor, Brandon Richards, asserted that every driver whose licence is being revoked had valid work authorisations from the federal government at the time the licence was issued. The governor's office clarified that the revocations are to correct a violation of a specific California state law, which requires that a commercial licence must expire on or before the date that a person's legal presence in the U.S. ends. They characterized Secretary Duffy's announcement as a political manoeuvre, with Richards accusing Duffy of “spreading easily disproven falsehoods in a sad and desperate attempt to please his dear leader.”

Broader Implications for Immigration and Policy

This dispute highlights the deep-seated tensions in the U.S. over immigration policy, particularly the division between federal authority and state laws. California has historically adopted more inclusive policies for immigrants, including providing access to driver's licences regardless of immigration status. The federal government, under the Trump administration, has pursued a more restrictive approach.

In September 2025, the USDOT announced new emergency rules that significantly restrict eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs, making them available only to holders of three specific types of employment-related visas. According to reports, these new rules would make the vast majority of the 200,000 non-citizens who currently hold commercial licences in the U.S. ineligible upon renewal. However, the rules are not being applied retroactively.

While this story is centered in the United States, it carries significant international resonance. It serves as a case study on the complexities of managing immigration within a federal system and the critical intersection of immigration status with essential economic activities like commercial transport. For nations globally, including Kenya, which navigate their own immigration and labour policies, the events in California offer a clear example of how quickly administrative procedures can become entangled with high-stakes political debates, impacting thousands of livelihoods and raising fundamental questions about road safety and regulatory enforcement.