# California DMV commercial licensing oversight

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/california-dmv-commercial-licensing-oversight
> Updated: 2026-10-28T20:07:21.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Investigations have highlighted failures by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to suspend the commercial licenses of drivers involved in fatal accidents. 

Reports indicate that certain semi-truck drivers were permitted to continue operating heavy vehicles despite facing vehicular manslaughter charges. In one specific instance, driver Baljit Singh was involved in a 2021 fatal collision involving a motorcyclist and a 2022 crash that killed Jenny Chow. Despite evidence of previous fatal incidents, Singh’s commercial license was not revoked until 2024 following a conviction.

The DMV previously suggested that its inability to act stemmed from law enforcement and the court system failing to report vehicular manslaughter charges to the department.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-28: California DMV criticized for allowing drivers with manslaughter charges to keep licenses

A CalMatters investigation alleges the California DMV allowed semi-truck drivers with vehicular manslaughter charges to retain their licenses, leading to further fatal accidents.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-dmv-criticized-for-allowing-drivers-with-manslaughter-charges-to-keep-licenses

### 2026-10-19: California DMV criticized after driver involved in two fatal crashes

A fatal 2022 truck collision in California has highlighted failures by the DMV, as the driver had previously been involved in a fatal accident involving driver fatigue and record tampering.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-dmv-criticized-after-driver-involved-in-two-fatal-crashes

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Cite as: California DMV commercial licensing oversight. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/california-dmv-commercial-licensing-oversight