Lujan v. FMCSA, King County v. DOT

A coalition of 19 local governments and officials filed an amicus brief in two cases about who can hold a commercial driver’s license. Public Rights Project, Democracy Forward, and law firm Kaplan Kirsch filed the brief on the coalition’s behalf.

In September 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an interim final rule stripping the ability from some non-citizens of having a commercial driver’s license. The plaintiffs in the cases have asked the court to block the rule, and for an emergency suspension of the rule while it is reviewed by the court. The coalition filed the brief in support of that request.

The brief explains that limiting the number of commercial driver’s licenses will hurt local communities by reducing the number of available drivers, especially in the face of nationwide driver shortages. This could make communities less safe and make it harder for local governments to deliver essential services.

For example, if a city has a snowplow driver shortage, it might have to close roads. This will only make it more difficult for ambulances, fire trucks, or police to reach people in need. The brief also argues that public transportation, school buses, construction, and nationwide shipping, and highway maintenance would all be disrupted if the rule takes effect.