Pennsylvania risks losing $75 million in federal road funding unless it complies with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) licensing requirements for non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits (CLP) and commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). This warning was issued in a letter from the DOT to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll and Governor Josh Shapiro.
The potential funding loss follows the arrest of Akhror Bozorov, an illegal alien from Uzbekistan, who was wanted for ties to a terrorist organization. Bozorov was issued a non-domiciled CDL in Pennsylvania, raising concerns about the state's compliance with federal regulations.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), PennDOT has issued non-domiciled CDLs that extend beyond the expiration of the drivers' lawful presence in the U.S. The letter states, "This letter constitutes FMCSA’s preliminary determination that Pennsylvania has failed to meet the requirement for substantial compliance with the standards for issuing non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs."
The FMCSA's review, which began in September, revealed that Pennsylvania issued 12,436 non-domiciled CLPs or CDLs that are currently unexpired. The review sampled 150 records and found several discrepancies, including instances where licenses were issued without proper documentation of lawful presence.
For example, one individual received a non-domiciled CDL expiring July 31, 2026, despite having only 23 days left on his work authorization. Another case involved a license issued without evidence of acceptable documentation.
The FMCSA has mandated that Pennsylvania conduct an internal audit to identify all non-domiciled licenses issued in violation of federal regulations. The state must void or rescind all unexpired noncompliant licenses and report its findings to the FMCSA.
PennDOT has 30 calendar days to respond to the FMCSA's preliminary determination. If the state fails to demonstrate corrective action, it risks losing up to approximately $151 million in road funding in subsequent fiscal years due to continued noncompliance.
The FMCSA could also decertify Pennsylvania’s CDL program, which would prohibit the state from issuing, renewing, transferring, or upgrading CLPs and CDLs.
The situation highlights significant concerns regarding the integrity of the state's licensing process and its adherence to federal standards.
Key Facts:
- Pennsylvania could lose $75 million in federal road funds for fiscal year 2027.
- The FMCSA identified 12,436 non-domiciled CLPs or CDLs currently unexpired.
- The state has 30 days to respond to the FMCSA's preliminary determination.
Why it matters
- Primary documents and sources are linked for verification.
- Pennsylvania risks losing $75 million in federal road funding due to non-compliance with DOT licensing requirements.
- The issuance of non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs raises serious concerns about state licensing integrity and federal adherence.
- The situation follows the arrest of a suspect linked to terrorism, highlighting potential security risks in licensing practices.
What’s next
- PennDOT has 30 days to respond to the FMCSA's preliminary determination.
- An internal audit of non-domiciled licenses must be conducted and reported to the FMCSA.
- Failure to comply could lead to decertification of Pennsylvania’s CDL program.