Pennsylvania Law Targets CDL Mills With New $25K Fines

Pennsylvania Signs New CDL Mills Law Amid Broader Training Crackdown

Pennsylvania has enacted a new law aimed at cracking down on unlicensed commercial driver training providers, commonly referred to as CDL Mills. Signed into law on July 20 as Act 50 of 2026, Senate Bill 1294 allows the state to impose civil penalties of up to $25,000 on anyone providing federally required Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) without the proper Pennsylvania license. The new law took effect immediately after receiving the governor’s signature.

Pennsylvania Targets Unlicensed CDL Mills

The new law amends Pennsylvania’s Private Licensed Schools Act by adding a specific penalty for unlicensed commercial driving schools.

Under the legislation, the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools may assess a civil penalty of up to $25,000 per violation against any person or organization that provides Entry-Level Driver Training required under federal regulations without being properly licensed under state law. Before any penalty is collected, the accused party must be given access to Pennsylvania’s administrative hearing process.

State lawmakers said the measure is intended to strengthen oversight of commercial driver training providers and discourage unauthorized schools from offering CDL instruction.

The Law Focuses on Federally Required ELDT

The legislation specifically references the federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements that took effect on February 7, 2022.

Under those federal rules, individuals seeking a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, upgrading a CDL class, or obtaining certain endorsements must complete training through an approved provider listed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Training Provider Registry before taking the required skills test.

Pennsylvania’s new law does not create additional ELDT requirements for drivers. Instead, it increases penalties for schools that provide this federally required training without obtaining the state license required to operate legally.

Part of a Broader Crackdown on CDL Mills

The Pennsylvania legislation comes as federal and state officials continue increasing scrutiny of commercial driver training providers across the country.

During the past year, federal and state officials have announced several enforcement actions involving CDL training, including:

• A new DHS and USDOT partnership targeting fraudulent CDL schools.
• State investigations into trucking schools in Texas.
• An FMCSA review that could affect hundreds of CDL training providers.
• Congressional efforts urging stronger action against so-called CDL Mills.
• FMCSA actions removing training providers from federal eligibility.

These actions reflect a broader effort by regulators to improve oversight of commercial driver training programs and ensure schools meet both federal and state requirements before training future commercial drivers.

What the New Law Means

The legislation primarily affects organizations that provide commercial driver training rather than CDL applicants themselves.

Licensed schools that already comply with Pennsylvania licensing requirements and federal ELDT regulations should see little operational change. However, training providers operating without the required state authorization now face substantially higher financial penalties if found in violation of the law.

Supporters of the legislation said stronger enforcement helps ensure new commercial drivers receive training from schools that meet established education and licensing standards.

Pennsylvania’s New CDL Mills Law is Now in Effect

Senate Bill 1294 received broad bipartisan support during the legislative process before being presented to Governor Josh Shapiro, who signed it into law on July 20, 2026. It is now officially Act 50 of 2026, and its provisions took effect immediately.