Supreme Court Rejects Florida's CDL Safety Lawsuit Against California, Washington

Key Details On May 26, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed Florida's lawsuit against California and Washington over a fatal August 2025 Turnpike crash. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier had accused both states of issuing commercial driver's licenses to non-citizens lacking English proficiency, violating federal safety standards. The Background The lawsuit stemmed from an August 12 crash where truck driver Harjinder Singh allegedly made an unauthorized U-Turn on the Florida Turnpike. A minivan collided with the truck's trailer, killing all three occupants. Florida argued that lax CDL standards in California and Washington endangered drivers in other states. Why It Matters Washington's Attorney General countered that allowing inter-state nuisance lawsuits could open dangerous precedent, potentially letting states sue each other over vaccination policies or firearm laws. The Court agreed, blocking Florida's complaint. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, arguing Florida had no other legal avenue to address the issue. The Decision This ruling limits states' ability to hold each other accountable for licensing standards, even when safety concerns cross state lines. Drivers should remain aware that CDL requirements vary by state, affecting road safety nationwide.