U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced Friday that New York has 30 days to correct what federal regulators say is the illegal issuance of non‑domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to truckers.
Duffy said the Department of Transportation will withhold $73 million in federal highway funding if the state fails to comply.
“We’re holding New York accountable for issuing non‑domicile CDLs to truckers illegally. FULL STOP,” he wrote in a statement.
The ultimatum comes as part of a nationwide crackdown on states accused of bypassing federal safety rules in licensing commercial drivers. Duffy emphasized that roadway safety is the administration’s top priority, noting “the safety of the American people comes first.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has largely resisted the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement push, positioning her state as a counterweight to federal crackdowns.
