Sacramento, California, USA: California is set to reinstate non-resident commercial driver’s licenses for truckers whose permits were scheduled to expire early next year, bringing relief to thousands of immigrant drivers, including a substantial number of Indian nationals, advocacy organisations stated.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV) announced it will begin the process of reissuing these licenses after consultations with the Sikh Coalition, which emphasised that the step would prevent the cancellation of nearly 17,000 licenses on January 5, 2026.

In November 2025, the CA DMV informed around 17,000 holders of non-resident commercial driver’s licenses that their credentials no longer complied with federal regulations and would expire within roughly 60 days unless updated.

The notices were issued following a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audit, which found that some licenses did not align with the latest federal requirements. In several instances, CDL expiration dates exceeded the drivers’ lawful visa periods. Federal authorities instructed the state to either rectify or revoke licenses that failed to meet the updated standards.

Reissuing the licenses will enable affected drivers to retain valid permits while addressing compliance concerns, preventing mass cancellations that could have removed thousands of truckers from the workforce.

Munmeeth Kaur, legal director of the Sikh Coalition, described the decision as a critical measure for safeguarding drivers’ employment.

Kaur stated that states like California ought to safeguard truckers’ rights against federal overreach, and creating a transparent process for drivers to contest these erroneous cancellation notices represents progress in the right direction

She noted that the resolution benefits both the workers and the state’s economy.

Truck drivers depend on their jobs to provide for their families, and California depends on them to ensure the flow of goods, making this development very positive,” she added.