Consumers Affected
17,000,000
Attorney General Phil Weiser joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and Pennsylvania in filing two lawsuits against the Trump administration for demanding a database of state-owned records containing sensitive personal information of 17 million commercial drivers. The lawsuits allege violations of federal privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act, and seek an emergency order to prevent the data from being turned over by the August 17 deadline.
The lawsuits seek an emergency order to prevent the transfer of the CDLIS database to federal agencies, and a motion to quash the DHS administrative subpoena. No monetary penalty is sought.
In-house legal teams should review contracts with government entities and data custodians, particularly any agreements involving state-owned databases or personal information. Key clauses to examine include data processing and sharing provisions, obligations to respond to government requests or subpoenas, notice requirements for data disclosures, and limitations on data use. Vendor agreements with entities like AAMVA should be scrutinized for provisions that could allow unauthorized transfer of sensitive data, and contracts should include clear safeguards for personal information such as Social Security numbers. Additionally, review any clauses related to compliance with federal privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act.
Entity
U.S. Department of Transportation
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://coag.gov/press-releases/weiser-sues-trump-administration-over-illegal-demand-for-commercial-drivers-license-data/
ECF No. 1 Complaint EDVA 1 26 cv 2547
https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2026/08/ECF-No.-1-Complaint-EDVA-1-26-cv-2547.pdf
003 Brief iso Mot to Quash DHS Subpoena
https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2026/08/003-Brief-iso-Mot-to-Quash-DHS-Subpoena.pdf
Colorado Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://coag.gov/
"the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration (FMSCA), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security"
"violating multiple federal privacy laws by secretly setting up their own database with records extorted from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) with no guardrails on the use or sharing of drivers’ Social Security numbers and other personal information, and no notice to the public"
"The demand violates the Administrative Procedure Act"
"17 million commercial drivers"
"joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general and the state of Pennsylvania"
Attorney General Jay Jones and a coalition of 24 attorneys general obtained a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from demanding a database of state-owned records containing personal information of 17 million CDL drivers from AAMVA and from terminating over $10 million in federal funding. The lawsuits allege DOT, FMCSA, and DHS violated federal privacy laws by secretly creating a database with no guardrails on use or sharing of Social Security numbers and no public notice.
Attorney General Jay Jones and a coalition of 21 attorneys general obtained a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from demanding a database of state-owned records containing sensitive personal information of 17 million commercial drivers from AAMVA. The lawsuits allege the federal agencies violated federal privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act by seeking to acquire the data without guardrails or public notice.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 22 attorneys general plus Pennsylvania secured a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from seizing the names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of 17 million commercial drivers nationwide, including nearly 500,000 New Yorkers. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia granted the TRO, preventing the federal government from accessing the data or cutting off access to the critical database.
Attorney General Tong and a coalition of 21 attorneys general and Pennsylvania filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Transportation, FMCSA, and DHS to block demands for the personal information of 17 million CDL drivers. The lawsuits allege violations of federal privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act, and seek an emergency order to prevent the data transfer.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 21 other attorneys general and Pennsylvania sued the U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security to block the federal government from seizing the personal data of 17 million commercial drivers from the CDLIS database. The coalition argues the demands violate federal privacy laws and the Constitution, and seeks an injunction to prevent the data transfer.
Attorney General Dan Rayfield and a coalition of 21 attorneys general and Pennsylvania filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Transportation, FMCSA, and AAMVA to block demands for a database containing personal information of 17 million commercial drivers. The federal government threatened to withhold $10 million in funding unless the data was turned over, which the coalition argues violates privacy law.