San Francisco, California — On Monday, Federal District Court Judge Robert Benitez formally lifted the injunction that had kept independent trucking contractors out of California since December 31, 2019. The decision follows a 2021 Ninth Circuit ruling that overturned the original injunction, and it clears the way for the California Trucking Association’s (CTA) lawsuit to proceed in full court.
The injunction had been a critical barrier for owner‑operators and OTR truck drivers who rely on the flexibility of independent contracting. With AB5’s ABC test classifying many drivers as employees, the injunction prevented companies from hiring independent contractors, forcing many to reclassify or shut down. The appellate court’s reversal in April 2021 meant the injunction could stay only while the CTA appealed to the Supreme Court, which declined to review the case. That left the lower court to decide the injunction’s fate, resulting in its removal.
Benitez’s ruling does not end the legal fight. According to FreightWaves, the CTA’s argument that AB5, as applied to California trucking, violates the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act was only addressed through motions on the injunction, not a full trial. The CTA now intends to restart the case from scratch and has requested a new injunction. Whether the Owner‑Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) can intervene remains undecided. The court has scheduled brief filings through December, after which the case will move forward.
What This Means for Drivers
For CDL‑A drivers and owner‑operators, the lifting of the injunction restores the ability to operate as independent contractors in California. Fleet managers can now hire drivers under the ABC test framework, potentially reducing administrative burdens related to employee status. OTR truck drivers who previously faced restricted hiring options may see an increase in truck driver jobs as companies reassess their staffing models. However, drivers must still comply with FMCSA regulations and meet the ABC test criteria to maintain independent status.
Industry Reaction
Carriers that had struggled to hire independent contractors in California welcomed the decision. “Today, drivers across California can rest easy knowing that trucking companies that have gotten away with misclassifying workers can no longer exploit their workers or the people of California to further their bottom line,” a spokesperson for the Teamsters PR agency Berlin Rosen said. The statement echoes the broader sentiment that the removal of the injunction will strengthen driver rights and encourage fair labor practices in the industry.
Key Points
- Judge Robert Benitez lifted the AB5 trucking injunction on Monday, ending a hold that began in December 2019.
- The Ninth Circuit’s 2021 ruling overturned the injunction, but the Supreme Court declined to intervene.
- The CTA now seeks a new injunction and will restart the case from the beginning.
- Briefs in the case are due by December, with the potential for OOIDA to intervene.
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