OAKLAND — The coalition argued that the demand for data violates the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act and the federal Privacy Act. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators operates the Commercial Driver’s License Information System, a federally mandated system. States use the Commercial Driver’s License Information System to search for specific individuals applying for a commercial driver’s license.

The federal government has historically used the Commercial Driver’s License Information System to search for records on an individual basis. In 1986, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act mandated the creation of the Commercial Driver's License Information System.

Why It Matters

The preliminary injunction prevents the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from accessing the personal data of millions of commercial drivers while the underlying legal dispute proceeds. The coalition’s lawsuit asserts that the agency’s broad demand for records exceeds statutory authority and conflicts with established federal privacy protections, including the Driver's Privacy Protection Act and the Privacy Act.

The case centers on the operation of the Commercial Driver’s License Information System, which is managed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. While the federal government has historically used the system for individual record searches, the current demand represents an expansion in scope. The outcome of the litigation will determine whether the agency can compel the release of bulk data from state-level licensing systems.

Timeline

In August 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a coalition of states in suing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. On September 18, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia granted a preliminary injunction halting the Trump Administration’s attempt to obtain sensitive personal information of commercial drivers. The preliminary injunction bars the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from obtaining commercial driver data while litigation continues.

On September 18, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said a federal court issued a preliminary injunction once again blocking the Trump Administration’s unlawful attempt to seize personal, sensitive data on commercial drivers. He added that this ruling ensures that Americans’ privacy rights remain protected as the case continues. Bonta also stated on September 18, 2026, that California will continue to stand up for the rule of law and work to protect the privacy of Californians and commercial drivers across the country.

What's New

Additional reporting identifies the Trump Administration as the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States under the Trump Administration. Further context indicates that the Commercial Driver's License Information System was mandated by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986.