Non-Domiciled CDL Lawsuit in California Continues After FMCSA Rule

Court Challenge Over CDL Rule Continues As Licensing Dispute Expands

A federal court case involving truck driver Jorge Lujan and the FMCSA continues to move forward as disputes over CDL rules affect thousands of drivers nationwide. The case was filed Oct. 20, 2025, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. It challenges an FMCSA rule that restricts eligibility for certain non-domiciled CDLs, who are required to operate commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailers and buses.

Most recently, drivers and labor groups filed a new petition after FMCSA issued a February 2026 final rule. The court granted a procedural motion allowing the challenge to proceed despite the new rule.

Lawsuit Targets Federal Non-Domiciled CDL Rule

The petition was filed by truck drivers and labor organizations after FMCSA issued an interim final rule in September 2025. The rule limits the ability of asylum seekers, refugees, and some work-authorized immigrants to obtain or renew non-domiciled CDLs.

Legal filings argue the regulation could remove CDL eligibility for a large number of drivers and disrupt employment within the trucking sector. Estimates cited in litigation materials suggest roughly 200,000 drivers could be affected.

Plaintiffs also claim the rule was issued without full notice-and-comment procedures and could cause economic harm to drivers and carriers that rely on those credentials.

Court Previously Blocked Enforcement Of Interim Rule

After the lawsuit was filed, petitioners submitted an emergency motion asking the court to pause enforcement of the rule while litigation continued.

The court granted a stay in November 2025, temporarily blocking the rule and allowing state licensing agencies to continue issuing or renewing affected CDLs until the legal dispute is resolved.

That stay remains part of the case’s procedural landscape as the court reviews the merits of the challenge.

New FMCSA CDL Rule Adds Complexity To Litigation

In February 2026, FMCSA issued a final CDL rule that includes many of the same limits as the earlier interim rule. After the update, drivers and labor groups filed a new petition challenging the revised rule.

The court then granted a procedural motion. Allowing the case to continue and letting the new rule be reviewed as part of the ongoing lawsuit. This step means the legal dispute did not end when the new rule was issued.

As a result, the court can evaluate the updated CDL rule without requiring the plaintiffs to restart the case from the beginning.

California Licensing Dispute Highlights Broader Impact

The federal rule has also influenced state-level licensing actions. In California, officials initially moved to revoke more than 20,000 commercial licenses tied to immigrants with temporary legal status.

A state judge issued a tentative ruling allowing those drivers to keep their licenses temporarily while litigation proceeds, creating uncertainty for regulators and drivers.

At the same time, federal officials have warned the state could face funding consequences or lose authority to issue certain CDLs if it does not comply with federal licensing directives.

Potential Impact On Truck Drivers

The legal dispute carries several potential implications for the trucking workforce.

If the federal rule is ultimately upheld, it could:

• Limit CDL eligibility for certain drivers with non-domiciled status
• Affect employment opportunities for impacted drivers
• Influence carrier hiring practices and driver supply
• Increase scrutiny on CDL issuance procedures across states

If the rule is overturned, current licensing practices for affected drivers may remain in place.

Because non-domiciled CDLs are required for the lawful operation of commercial vehicles, the case has implications for workforce availability, regulatory compliance, and licensing oversight within trucking.

What Happens Next In The Case

The lawsuit remains active, with the court reviewing challenges to the updated FMCSA rule. Future steps are expected to include briefing, legal arguments, and a potential ruling on whether the regulation complies with federal administrative law requirements.

Until a final decision is issued, the dispute continues to shape CDL policy debates and licensing practices affecting drivers and carriers.

Why The Case Matters For Trucking

The outcome of Jorge Lujan v. FMCSA could determine:

• Who can qualify for certain commercial driver licenses
• How federal agencies implement CDL policy changes
• The level of state authority in licensing decisions
• Workforce availability across segments of the trucking industry
• Because the litigation involves federal licensing standards and employment eligibility, industry stakeholders are closely monitoring developments.