U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has revealed that a significant portion of Minnesota's non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) were issued illegally, according to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) review. The state now faces the possibility of losing up to $30.4 million in federal highway funding if it does not address these issues within 30 days.
Secretary Duffy said, "Our audit exposes yet another example of foreigners taking advantage of Minnesota services under Governor Walz’s watch." He criticized the state's failure to adhere to legal requirements, which he claims has resulted in unsafe and unqualified non-citizens obtaining trucking licenses.
The FMCSA sent a letter to Governor Tim Walz and Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson detailing the findings. The audit discovered that some drivers held licenses valid beyond their lawful U.S. presence, others were prohibited from holding such licenses, and some had not had their lawful presence verified by Minnesota.
USDOT is demanding corrective actions from Minnesota, including pausing the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs, identifying all non-compliant licenses, revoking those that do not meet federal standards, and conducting an internal audit to rectify procedural errors.
FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs emphasized the consequences for states failing to comply with federal regulations: "Under the Trump Administration, states have two choices: meet our standards or face the consequences."
This move is part of a broader effort by USDOT to ensure compliance across states regarding CDL issuance practices. Secretary Duffy previously announced a nationwide audit and introduced measures aimed at enhancing truck driver safety and modernizing resources for drivers.
In related developments, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced nearly $20 million in grants through its Small Shipyard Grant Program to support small shipyards across 19 states. Additionally, USDOT celebrated the ADA's anniversary by awarding $5 million in its Inclusive Design Challenge to enhance mobility options for individuals with disabilities.
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