CDL Issues in Indian Country – Promoting Public Safety Through Education

Welcome!

Welcome to CDLTribalJustice.org. This site provides Tribal judges, court professionals, and justice system stakeholders with practical tools and resources related to commercial driver licensing (CDL), commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety, key Tribal regulations, and applicable Federal regulations. Developed through a partnership between the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and The National Judicial College (NJC), these materials are intended to support Tribal courts in promoting roadway safety and handling cases involving commercial drivers and CMVs. While these resources reflect federal CDL standards, Tribal courts operate under their own sovereign authority. Judges and court personnel should consult applicable Tribal constitutions, codes, laws, and local court practices when applying these principles.

Tribals Courts State Driver's Licensing Agencies

educational video

Tribal Traffic Regulation and Community Safety

Indian tribes are sovereign nations and have the right to govern their land. The roadways that cross their lands carry people into their nations. These in-between spaces can become a stage for contention, but they also represent a chance for cooperation. Federal litigation has at times stood in defiance of tribal sovereignty. In many ways it still does. This video talks about the real and present opportunities for tribal judges to impact the health and safety of tribal communities.

Webcast

cdl safety in indian country interactive webcast

On May 4, 2022, the National Judicial College held a webcast with FMCSA representative, Jerry Calderon, and esteemed faculty members, Judges Jan Morris and Gayle Williams-Byers. This webcast has since been converted into an interactive learning experience through PlayPosit.

benchcard

learn how to avoid gaps in jurisdiction

Explore how to control the conduct of individuals on our territory. The bench cards are designed to help you examine your cases and provide you with guidance and information. Read the bench cards to help you navigate your CDL case.

View Benchcard >

other resources

Self Study Course about Adjudicating CDL/CMV cases in Indian Country

Learners will need an NJC On-Demand account to access this course, but can easily get one by emailing Elizabeth at [email protected]

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Lifetime CDL Disqualification for a conviction of human trafficking in a CMV

The Human Trafficking Primer highlights the importance of enforcing lifetime CDL disqualification for severe human trafficking convictions to protect victims and safeguard the integrity of the transportation system. Funded by FMCSA and developed in partnership with NJC, NCSC, NDAA, AAMVA, and CVSA, the primer provides practical guidance to ensure offenders are properly reported, sanctioned, and prohibited from operating CMVs.

Click Here to Access Primer

Tribal Enforcement and Adjudicatory Jurisdiction Over Commercial Motor Vehicles Operating on Roadways and Rights-Of-Way in Indian Country

By Hon. Jan W. Morris (Ret.) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY There are more than 164,000 miles of roadways within Indian country, including rights-of-way for rural state and interstate highways. Annually more than 500,000 crashes involve a large truck or bus. The majority of nearly 4,500 fatal crashes involving large trucks occur in rural areas. The threat posed by unsafe commercial vehicles and non-Indian operators to the health and welfare of the tribe as well as the safety of all motorists supports the authority of Indian tribes to enact, enforce, and adjudicate commercial motor vehicle and commercial driver’s license civil regulations over all roadways and rights-of-way within tribal lands where it is not uncommon for tribal law enforcement officers to have the primary patrol responsibility.

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