Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, LITIGATION NEWS, TRENDS—Nearly 20 nondomiciled truckers challenge ‘catastrophic’ federal and state rules relating to CDLs and CLPs, (Apr 21, 2026)
Organizations Mentioned:Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
By Brandi O. Brown, J.D.
“[T]hey cannot work, they cannot earn a living, they face financial ruin, and they have been deprived of vested property and liberty interests without due process of law” and “without any individualized determination of fault, misconduct, or safety concern.”
A group of 19 commercial vehicle operators filed suit challenging two interrelated federal and state governmental actions that they allege have deprived them of their commercial driving privileges, their livelihoods, and their constitutional rights.
Federal action. First, they challenge the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) promulgation of an interim final rule (IFR) titled Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses, 90 Fed. Reg. 46,509 (Sept. 29, 2025), which severely restricts the authority of State Driver’s Licensing Agencies to issue and renew nondomiciled CLPs and CDLs to individuals domiciled in foreign jurisdictions. Along with this, they challenge FMCSA’s subsequent Final Rule, 91 Fed. Reg. 7044 (Feb. 13, 2026), which reaffirmed the IFR’s categorical restrictions.
State action. Second, they challenge the action by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), which placed an ongoing and indefinite “pause” on the issuance, renewal, and extension of nondomiciled CDLs and CLPs. FLHSMV has maintained this pause even after the D.C. Circuit issued a stay pending review of the IFR on November 13, 2025, preventing the IFR from taking effect until further notice.
“Catastrophic” impact. They allege that the combined effect of these actions has been “catastrophic” for them—they allege “they cannot work, they cannot earn a living, they face financial ruin, and they have been deprived of vested property and liberty interests without due process of law—all without any individualized determination of fault, misconduct, or safety concern.” They “have lost employment, defaulted on mortgages and other financial obligations, and been unable to provide for their families.” This harm is ongoing and irreparable, they contend, and they seek declaratory and injunctive relief.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida; the case is No. 1:26-cv-22615-JB.
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