Human Trafficking

AAMVA supports its members in addressing the critical issue of human trafficking. State driver license agencies (SDLAs) play an important role in public safety and identity assurance and may be among the few government agencies to interact with individuals who are being exploited. AAMVA provides resources, training, and guidance to help member jurisdictions understand this issue and respond appropriately within the scope of motor vehicle and driver licensing operations, including driver testing and commercial driver’s license (CDL) programs.

As defined by the U.S. Department of Justice, human trafficking (also known as trafficking in persons) is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological. Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used. Through education and collaboration, AAMVA helps SDLAs meet their operational responsibilities while contributing to broader efforts to identify and prevent human trafficking.



Understanding CDL Implications in Human Trafficking Cases

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) commercial driving primer offers an accessible, plain-language overview of how CDL cases involving human trafficking move from enforcement through the courts and into driver licensing systems. Developed by an FMCSA grant-funded, multi-stakeholder working group, the primer reflects diverse perspectives from courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, state driver licensing agencies, and commercial vehicle safety partners. It provides practical, role-specific information on the implementation of federally mandated lifetime CDL disqualification for qualifying human trafficking convictions involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), supporting consistent application of the law, accurate reporting, and coordinated action to protect victims and public safety.
  

Awareness Training Coming Soon

Human Trafficking Awareness Training for DMV and SDLA Frontline StaffLook for a training module introducing key concepts on Human Trafficking coming soon. This downloadable and customizable training module will be designed to equip frontline staff at DMVs and State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) with a practical understanding of human trafficking and how it may intersect with their daily work. The module will explain what human trafficking is, common indicators that may surface during licensing and credentialing interactions, and appropriate steps to take when concerns arise. It will also provide clear guidance on the federally mandated lifetime disqualification of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for drivers convicted of qualifying human trafficking offenses committed in a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Funded through an FMCSA grant, this training will support frontline professionals in recognizing and responding to a serious and widespread crime while reinforcing the critical role licensing agencies play in public safety and victim protection.

Human Trafficking Awareness Training for Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

AAMVA will be providing a training tool intended for use by members. This training module will be tailored for commercial motor vehicle drivers and focuses on increasing awareness of human trafficking within the context of CMV transportation and CDL responsibilities. It will explain what human trafficking is, how it can occur along transportation routes or within trucking operations, and how drivers may unknowingly encounter or observe trafficking-related activity. The module will also highlight the severe legal consequences of involvement, including the federally mandated lifetime loss of a CDL for qualifying human trafficking convictions involving a CMV. Developed with FMCSA grant funding, this resource will be used by DMVs and SDLAs for education, outreach, or integration into interactions with CDL applicants and those renewing CDLs. It is meant to make drivers aware that human trafficking is a serious crime that can mean a permanent loss of the CDL privilege, and it will help them understand their role in preventing trafficking and protecting the integrity of the commercial transportation system.