The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced new CDL school closures, ordering more than 550 commercial driver training schools to shut down after investigators uncovered serious safety violations. This move, therefore, marks one of the most aggressive federal enforcement actions aimed at strengthening commercial driver safety standards.
According to USDOT, inspectors conducted 1,426 site visits in December. As a result of those reviews, 448 active schools were found to have major compliance failures. In addition, 109 schools removed themselves from the federal Training Provider Registry once they learned inspections were coming. Meanwhile, another 97 schools remain under active investigation.
What Investigators Discovered
During the audits, inspectors identified several troubling deficiencies. For example, some schools:
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Employed unqualified instructors
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Failed to properly test students’ driving skills
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Did not teach required hazardous materials content
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Used improper or outdated equipment for instruction
Consequently, federal officials determined that these schools failed to meet the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards that took effect in 2022.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that American families should be confident that truck and bus drivers receive proper training before operating large commercial vehicles. However, investigators concluded that many of the reviewed schools did not meet even basic federal safety standards.
How This Differs From Previous Action
Previously, USDOT moved to decertify up to 7,500 schools. However, many of those were inactive or defunct operations. In contrast, this latest enforcement action specifically targeted active schools that were currently training students but falling short of compliance requirements.
As a result, industry leaders say this round carries greater weight because it directly affects operating training providers.
Industry Reaction
Not surprisingly, established CDL training schools have largely welcomed the crackdown. Five major schools affiliated with the Commercial Vehicle Training Association underwent audits and passed. Therefore, legitimate providers argue that removing so-called “CDL mills” protects both safety and the industry’s reputation.
Jeffery Burkhardt, chair of the national trucking schools group, stated that reputable schools support stronger enforcement. In fact, he noted that this represents the first meaningful enforcement of the 2022 federal training standards.
Broader Federal Enforcement Efforts
At the same time, USDOT continues to scrutinize state CDL programs. Following several high-profile fatal crashes, federal officials have increased pressure on states to improve licensing oversight. Specifically, audits have uncovered:
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Licenses remaining valid after immigration authorization expired
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Failure to verify immigration status
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Weak documentation and recordkeeping practices
As a result, the federal government has threatened to withhold funding from noncompliant states. California faces a potential $160 million funding loss, while Illinois could lose $128 million after a recent audit identified issues.
What This Means for Trucking
Although freight volumes remain softer compared to 2022 levels, carriers still need qualified, safety-focused drivers. Therefore, federal officials argue that stricter oversight of CDL schools is essential to maintaining public trust and improving highway safety nationwide.
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