FLORIDA — Nineteen non-domiciled commercial truck drivers have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that recent licensing restrictions stripped them of their ability to work, cutting off income and violating their constitutional rights.
The lawsuit was filed April 15, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), and the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), along with multiple agency officials.
Drivers Challenge Federal Rule and State Enforcement
The lawsuit targets FMCSA’s interim final rule titled “Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses,” which restricts how states issue and renew non-domiciled CDLs and learner’s permits.
According to the filing, federal regulators pushed the rule forward without a proper notice-and-comment period and failed to provide sufficient data showing that non-domiciled CDL holders posed a safety risk.
The lawsuit further alleges the rule disproportionately impacts individuals domiciled in foreign jurisdictions and was driven by factors unrelated to commercial vehicle safety.
Plaintiffs also point to a previous court action in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that placed a stay on the rule. The lawsuit claims FMCSA bypassed that stay by issuing a final rule in February 2026 that largely reaffirmed the same restrictions.
Florida CDL Pause Under Scrutiny
The case also challenges Florida’s decision to pause the issuance, renewal, and extension of non-domiciled CDLs and commercial learner’s permits.
According to the lawsuit, FMCSA pressured Florida into adopting the pause through a corrective action plan tied to compliance requirements. Plaintiffs argue that the action plan exceeds federal authority and is tied to what they describe as an unlawful rule.
The lawsuit states that Florida’s continued pause is not required under valid federal law and that prior regulations allowing issuance of non-domiciled CDLs should still apply.
Drivers Claim Severe Financial Impact
The drivers involved in the lawsuit say the combined federal and state actions have had a devastating impact on their livelihoods.
According to the filing, plaintiffs have lost jobs, fallen behind on mortgages and financial obligations, and have been unable to support their families. The lawsuit describes the harm as “ongoing and irreparable.”
The group is seeking a court declaration that the policies are unconstitutional and is asking for Florida to immediately resume processing and issuing non-domiciled CDLs and permits.
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