ATA's Statement on USDOT Withholding Funding from California

Washington - Today, following the U.S. Department of Transportation's announcement to withhold funding from California over improperly issued CDLs, American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear issued this statement:

"Ensuring the safety of our nation's roadways depends on consistent application and enforcement of commercial driver licensing standards nationwide. USDOT has raised ongoing concerns over the past several months that certain California-issued licenses did not fully comply with federal CDL requirements, posing potential risks to public safety.

"A CDL assures the motoring public that a driver has met rigorous safety standards - standards that must be enforced uniformly in all 50 states. Because truck drivers operate across state lines, when even one state cuts corners, the consequences are felt nationwide.

"We call on California authorities to work with the U.S. Department of Transportation to expedite this process to ensure only qualified drivers with properly-issued CDLs are permitted to operate."