- USDOT removed 3,000 CDL schools for training noncompliance.
- Another 4,500 training providers received formal federal warnings.
- Industry groups supported the move as critical for driver safety.
There’s a new push across the USA to increase safety surrounding semi trucks. To that end, the federal government has stepped up its scrutiny of commercial driver licensing, launching audits and prompting several states to revoke licenses that fell short of required standards.
Now, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is shutting down almost 3,000 commercial driver’s license training schools across the country because they’re allegedly out of compliance with federal training standards.
A Federal Crackdown
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the move Monday and said another 4,500 providers are under review. All providers in question are part of the Training Provider Registry (TPR), an organization that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses to provide CDL training. Before the action, there were some 16,000 providers nationwide.
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According to the USDOT, the removals and warnings largely stem from alleged violations that include falsifying or manipulating training records, failing to meet facility or instructor requirements, and refusing to provide documentation during federal audits or investigations.
“If you are unwilling to follow the rules, you have no place training America’s commercial drivers. We will not tolerate negligence,” added FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs.
What’s Behind the Enforcement Push?
Secretary Duffy positioned the move as a targeted enforcement push aimed at ensuring driver competency and safety in the commercial transportation sector.
“Under President Trump, we are reigning in illegal and reckless practices that let poorly trained drivers get behind the wheel of semi-trucks and school buses,” Duffy said.
Industry stakeholders largely welcomed the enforcement action. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) applauded the move, with ATA president Chris Spear telling TruckNews that the CDL training process “is not a weekend hobby,” and requires consistency and accountability.
Training centers that received warnings now have 30 days to prove compliance with FMCSA in order to maintain their listing. During that period, they remain active in the TPR but must inform all current and scheduled trainees of their proposed removal status.
This effort marks one of the most sweeping federal purges of CDL authorization in recent history and signals a sustained initiative to tighten entry-level driver standards across the commercial trucking industry.
Photos Mack Trucks
