Pennsylvania Risks Losing $75 Mln in US Funding After Illegal CDL Licensing Scandal

The United States Department of Transportation has cautioned Pennsylvania authorities that the state may forfeit nearly $75 mln in federal funding following breaches linked to the issuing of commercial driving licences (CDL). The warning was outlined in a statement released on November 20.

An investigation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that Pennsylvania had unlawfully granted commercial licences to foreign nationals who were living in the country without legal status. According to the report, some recipients were deemed unsuitable and not properly qualified.

Transport Secretary Sean P Duffy said the state must revoke the licences issued in violation of federal rules and address every problem uncovered by the inquiry. If it fails to act, the department will suspend federal financial support.

Officials added that the recent arrest of Uzbek national Akhror Bozorov reinforces the need for the licence audit launched during the summer. Bozorov, who is wanted in Uzbekistan for distributing extremist material, had been working in the US as a lorry driver using a licence obtained in Pennsylvania.