In October, a tragic event unfolded in Southern California—a multi-vehicle pileup caused by Jashanpreet Singh, an illegal alien from India. This crash claimed three lives and left four others injured when Singh’s big rig collided with stopped traffic. The incident has drawn attention not only for its shocking nature but also for the broader implications regarding commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued under questionable circumstances.
Following this tragic event, a group of non-U.S. citizen and temporary resident truck drivers filed a class-action lawsuit against the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and its director. The lawsuit, lodged in Alameda County Superior Court on December 23, contends that the DMV unlawfully plans to revoke nearly 20,000 CDLs due to administrative errors. Plaintiffs argue that such actions are a response to federal pressure from the Trump administration and violate state law by denying drivers the chance to rectify mistakes or reapply.
The lawsuit stems from a federal audit conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The audit revealed that California had improperly issued a significant number of non-domiciled CDLs—licenses intended for non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents with temporary work authorization. Many of these licenses were issued with expiration dates that exceeded the drivers’ legal presence documents. This situation raises serious questions about the DMV’s commitment to ensuring safety and compliance within the trucking industry.
As the DMV began sending cancellation notices to around 17,299 drivers, effective January 5, 2026, and another 2,700 shortly after, many felt the impact of this decision. The plaintiffs—among them five anonymous immigrant drivers and the Jakara Movement, which represents Punjabi Sikh communities—claim the DMV’s approach is “arbitrary and capricious.” They argue that it punishes hard-working individuals for the agency’s own administrative blunders without granting them the opportunity to rectify their status.
“Los Angeles is home to a significant number of Sikh immigrants who contribute to the trucking industry,” the lawsuit underscores. These drivers play a vital role in transporting goods, operating school buses, and providing essential services. If the DMV proceeds with the cancellations, the lawsuit warns of severe economic and emotional consequences for these individuals and their families.
Legal representatives stress that the DMV’s actions may violate the California Vehicle Code, which mandates that cancellations be made “without prejudice.” This means that the affected drivers should be allowed to reapply immediately. Instead, the DMV allegedly halted all processing of non-domiciled CDLs, stating it has “no guidance” for applications. This lack of clarity raises significant due process concerns, as individuals are deprived of their rights without proper notification or opportunity to contest the decisions.
Munmeeth Kaur, the legal director of the Sikh Coalition, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “The state of California must help these 20,000 drivers because, at the end of the day, the clerical errors threatening their livelihoods are of the CA-DMV’s own making,” Kaur stated. Without intervention, the lawsuit warns of dire consequences for both individual families and the wider supply chain, which depends heavily on these drivers.
While the plaintiffs present a compelling case, the lawsuit also highlights a fundamental issue regarding accountability. Where is the responsibility for drivers who should have ensured their paperwork was correct before navigating the complexities of commercial trucking? As the legal wrangling continues, one must contemplate the balance between ensuring fair treatment for workers and upholding standards that protect public safety.
Amidst this turmoil, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has rebutted claims from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that the state had “admitted to illegally issuing” licenses, asserting that California adhered to existing regulations before a recent FMCSA rule change. The lawsuit seeks not only to halt the cancellations but also demands that the DMV allow reapplications and declare the actions unlawful.
The case serves as a reminder of the collision between policy, legality, and the human cost of administrative missteps. While the tragedy caused by Singh is a crucial focal point, the broader implications of driver licensing and the responsibilities of both the government and the individuals operating under these licenses cannot be overlooked. The resolution of this lawsuit will likely impact not only those directly involved but also the future landscape of trucking in California, where proper documentation is critical for both safety and equity in the industry.
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