U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy drew attention yesterday to a significant issue within Minnesota's handling of commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), finding that a substantial portion of them were issued in violation of federal regulations. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), an audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has revealed non-compliant CDLs issued to non-domiciled drivers, raising concerns over road safety.
In a move to uphold legal standards and push for compliance, the Trump administration has put Minnesota on notice, threatening the forfeiture of up to $30.4 million in federal highway funding if the state fails to correct its course; Minnesota's services have been used by illegal foreign truck drivers, leading to deadly crashes, the abuses of which must be addressed immediately. Sean P. Duffy asserted, according to the USDOT, "Minnesota failed to follow the law and illegally doled out trucking licenses to unsafe, unqualified non-citizens – endangering American families on the road," implying a catalyst for hazardous road conditions and a loss of trust in regulatory adherence.
The department provided Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota's Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson with a detailed list of violations and necessary actions. These include the ceasing of issuing non-domiciled CDLs, revocation, and reissuance of licenses to fit federal criteria, and a comprehensive internal investigation to prevent future errors in the licensing process.
Striking a firm tone, FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs stated that states either need to meet the standards or "face the consequences," following the law, which wasn't a courtesy but a requirement under the Trump administration's guidelines, and Minnesota's defiance of the rules cannot be ignored. The audits, part of a wider campaign initiated through President Trump's Executive Order, have uncovered similar compliance failures across multiple states, including California and Pennsylvania, highlighting a systemic issue that extends beyond Minnesota's borders, according to the USDOT.
