by Federal Cleanup of Truck Driver Schools
A new large-scale initiative aimed at improving road safety, particularly regarding large trucks, has begun in the United States. The federal government has tightened control over the system for obtaining Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL), initiating inspections and forcing a number of states to revoke licenses that did not meet established standards.
Thousands of Schools Lose Accreditation
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has closed nearly 3,000 commercial driver training schools across the country due to their alleged non-compliance with federal training standards. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced this step on Monday, noting that another 4,500 training institutions have received official warnings and are under close scrutiny.
All these institutions are part of the Training Provider Registry (TPR), managed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to accredit driver training courses. Prior to these measures, there were approximately 16,000 such institutions operating nationwide.
If you are not prepared to follow the rules, you have no place in training American commercial drivers. We will not tolerate negligence.
According to the FMCSA, the reasons for the closures and warnings included allegations of falsifying or manipulating training records, non-compliance with facility or instructor requirements, and refusal to provide documentation during federal inspections.
Industry Reaction and Political Context
Secretary Duffy presented these actions as a targeted campaign aimed at ensuring driver competence and safety in the commercial transportation sector.
Under President Trump, we are cracking down on illegal and irresponsible practices that allow poorly trained drivers to get behind the wheel of trucks or school buses.
Representatives of the transportation industry largely supported these measures. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) responded favorably to the decision. ATA President Chris Spear stated that the training process for obtaining a CDL is not a “weekend hobby,” and it requires consistency and accountability.
Consequences for Schools and the Future of the Industry
Training centers that received warnings now have 30 days to prove their compliance with FMCSA requirements if they wish to retain their place in the registry. During this period, they remain active but are obligated to inform all their current and future students about the risk of exclusion.
This campaign is one of the largest federal cleanups of the driver training system in recent years. It signals an ongoing initiative to strengthen standards for entry-level drivers in the commercial trucking industry.
Photo Mack Trucks
Such regulatory actions often spark debate about the balance between safety and accessibility to the profession, especially against the backdrop of a persistent nationwide driver shortage. Improving training quality is undoubtedly key to reducing accidents; however, the sudden closure of thousands of schools may temporarily complicate the entry of new people into the profession. The success of this initiative will depend on how quickly and effectively existing training institutions can adapt to the heightened requirements, and how well the regulator can ensure transparency of the process and support for those striving to operate legally.
