BREAKING: States score win in fight over federal access to CDL driver database
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Department of Transportation from accessing a database containing personal details of millions of commercial drivers.
A coalition of states has secured a legal victory against federal efforts to obtain records for approximately 17 million commercial driver’s license holders. As reported by FreightWaves, U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Trenga granted a temporary restraining order that blocks the Trump administration from accessing the Commercial Driver’s License Information System. This ruling escalates a previous administrative stay, preventing federal agencies from acquiring state-owned data that includes social security numbers and licensing histories.
The dispute centers on a demand from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a bulk transfer of records spanning five years. While the federal agency argues this information is necessary for safety oversight and regulatory duties, plaintiff states contend the database was designed for state-to-state communication rather than as a federal repository. The court expressed concerns during the proceedings regarding whether the government's request was actually intended for immigration enforcement purposes.
The judge indicated that the states demonstrated a high likelihood of succeeding on their claims, noting that the agency's demand represents an unprecedented reach into sensitive driver data. The order further protects the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators from federal retaliation or contract termination for refusing to supply the records. This legal pause remains in effect while the court determines if a longer-term preliminary injunction is warranted to protect the status quo.
Editorial Desk — Trade Flow Insight. Reporting and market notes compiled by the Trade Flow Insight editorial team.
Related coverage
FMCSA’s Elison addresses Motus again, still no date on full repair
Chattanooga–It hasn’t been that long–less than a month–since Jesse Elison spoke to an industry event and addressed the issue of the beleaguered new Motus registration system. The deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) spoke Monday at FreightWaves’ Broker Compliance Symposium, one of two one-day sessions that serve as a prelude to the larger Future of Freight Festival here that begins Tuesday The biggest news in his presentation was really no news: after saying at the National Motor Freight Traffic Association in early October that FMCSA was “weeks away”
Mexican truckers launch national strike over highway security, rising costs
Mexican trucking companies launched an indefinite nationwide strike Monday protesting highway insecurity, cargo theft, extortion and rising operating costs, with demonstrations planned in major freight hubs along the U.S.-Mexico border. The strike, organized by the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (CANACAR) and other trucking organizations, calls for demonstrations across Mexico, including Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Monterrey, Tijuana and Mexico City. The protests could disrupt freight transportation through some of North America’s busiest commercial corridors, particularly in Nuevo Lare
Trump Administration Unveils Seafood Strategy to Boost U.S. Fishing Fleet and Domestic Production
The Trump administration on Friday unveiled its America First Seafood Strategy, outlining plans to strengthen the U.S. commercial fishing industry through regulatory reform, investment in fishing vessels and shoreside infrastructure,...