Over 550 CDL Schools Could Be Shut After New FMCSA Probe

Transportation Secretary Announces Crackdown on CDL Schools

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced a nationwide enforcement action aimed at CDL schools that failed to meet federal safety standards. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) said more than 550 CDL schools received notices of proposed removal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) national Training Provider Registry.

Federal officials described many of the affected CDL schools as noncompliant training providers. Investigators cited serious violations involving safety practices, instructor qualifications, and training procedures.

FMCSA Deploys Investigators to Inspect CDL Schools

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mobilized more than 300 investigators across all 50 states. Over a five-day period, those investigators conducted 1,426 on-site investigations of CDL schools and other registered training providers.

Authorities also carried out more than 1,400 sting operations. These efforts focused on verifying compliance with Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations.

Hundreds of Schools Face Proposed Removal

According to USDOT, the inspections resulted in significant registry actions involving CDL schools:

• 448 notices of proposed removal were issued to schools that failed to meet minimum federal safety standards.
• 109 training providers voluntarily withdrew from the Training Provider Registry after learning investigators planned site visits.

Officials said that a notice of proposed removal does not always lead to immediate closure. However, removal from the registry prevents schools from providing federally recognized training.

Violations Found at CDL Schools Raise Safety Concerns

Investigators reported several recurring violations at schools across the country:

Unqualified Teachers
Some instructors lacked the proper licenses or permits required for the vehicles used in training. In certain cases, instructors did not hold credentials specific to the equipment they were teaching, including school buses.

Improper Vehicles Used
Several CDL schools used vehicles that did not match the type of training advertised. Regulators said this can limit proper skill development.

Incomplete Student Assessments
Investigators found that some CDL schools failed to properly evaluate students. Missing or inadequate testing procedures were cited as compliance failures.

State Non-Compliance Among Schools
Some CDL schools admitted they did not meet their own state’s training requirements. Officials said this raised additional regulatory concerns.

Hazardous Materials Training Failures

USDOT also cited deficiencies tied to hazardous materials instruction. Some CDL schools failed to properly train students on hazmat transportation requirements. Federal regulators emphasized that hazmat education is a critical safety component for drivers seeking endorsements involving regulated cargo.

Officials warned that training gaps in this area may increase safety risks and compliance problems.

School Bus Training Provider Among Schools Removed

Among the schools removed for safety violations was at least one provider that had previously trained school bus drivers. USDOT noted that ELDT rules apply to CDL schools offering both truck and bus driver training.

Officials said violations involving passenger transportation training carry added safety implications.

Secretary Duffy Emphasizes Accountability for CDL Schools

Secretary Duffy linked the enforcement action to broader safety oversight within the commercial transportation industry.

“For too long, the trucking industry has operated like the Wild, Wild West, where anything goes and nobody asks any questions. The buck stops with me,” Duffy said. “Under President Trump, my team is cracking down on every link in the trucking chain that has allowed this lawlessness to impact the safety of America’s roads.”

He added that families should have confidence that truck and school bus drivers receive proper training before operating on public highways.

FMCSA Administrator Highlights Standards for CDL Schools

FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs said the agency’s priority is strict compliance with federal safety standards.

“We mobilized hundreds of investigators to visit these schools in person to ensure strict compliance with federal safety standards,” Barrs said. “If a school isn’t using the right vehicles or if their instructors aren’t qualified, they have no business training the next generation of truckers or school bus drivers.”

Additional Schools Still Under Investigation

USDOT confirmed that 97 training providers remain under active investigation. These cases involve potential compliance failures tied to CDL schools and other registry-listed providers. Officials did not provide specific timelines but indicated further enforcement actions may follow.

Why the Training Provider Registry Matters

The FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry plays a key role in the CDL licensing process. Entry-level drivers must complete ELDT through registered CDL schools or approved providers before taking required CDL skills or knowledge tests.

If schools are removed from the registry, they cannot offer training that satisfies federal CDL requirements. This can affect new drivers, carriers, and workforce pipelines.

Continued Oversight Expected

USDOT officials signaled that enforcement efforts targeting CDL schools will continue. Regulators said the recent nationwide operation reflects a long-term compliance strategy designed to strengthen safety and training standards.

Federal authorities maintain that consistent oversight helps protect drivers, motor carriers, and the traveling public.