U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a federal audit found significant noncompliance in Minnesota’s issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), including one-third of reviewed licenses issued in violation of federal law. Secretary Duffy has directed the state to correct these violations within 30 days or risk the loss of up to $30.4 million in federal highway funding, underscoring the importance of uniform national standards for commercial driver licensing and roadway safety.

Senator Cal Bahr (R- East Bethel), a CDL driver, issued the following statement:

“I applaud Secretary Sean Duffy for taking this matter seriously. As a commercial driver since 1989, before Commercial Driver’s License regulations were in place, I have seen firsthand the deterioration of safety on our nation’s highways. The Commercial Driver’s License was implemented to protect the motoring public from unsafe drivers, many of whom are carrying large (80,000 lbs) or hazardous (gasoline or TNT) on our roads

“Those who require a CDL to work should be held to the highest standards of testing and verification. That is clearly not happening in Minnesota, and it puts everyone on the highway at greater risk of injury or death. I encourage Governor Walz and Commissioner Jacobson to work seamlessly with the U.S. Department of Transportation to audit and verify, with the strictest scrutiny, every single CDL issued to non-domiciled individuals in Minnesota.”