The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced plans to revoke the accreditation of approximately 3,000 truck driving schools unless they demonstrate compliance with federal requirements within 30 days. An additional 4,000 schools may face similar actions.
These schools collectively represent over 40% of the nation's 16,000 authorized training providers. The DOT states that the targeted institutions are accused of:
- Falsifying or manipulating training data.
- Failing to meet required curriculum standards and instructor qualifications.
- Neglecting to maintain or share accurate records.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a statement indicating the department's intention to address practices that allow inadequately trained drivers to operate commercial vehicles.
This regulatory initiative is part of a broader effort by the administration to ensure that drivers meet qualifications for holding a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
The DOT had also proposed new restrictions concerning immigrants obtaining a CDL; however, a federal appeals court temporarily halted these rules last month. These proposals coincided with several high-profile incidents, including a fatal crash in Florida in August that resulted in three deaths, involving foreign-born truck drivers.
Secretary Duffy asserts that the restrictions are necessary due to instances where foreign-born truckers may lack proficiency in road rules or English. Opponents of the restrictions contend that there is no data to support this claim.
Pawan Singh, owner of a trucking company in Northern Virginia, stated that enhanced safety oversight has been "long overdue." Singh acknowledged that some schools may graduate drivers without adequate operational skills, noting that this issue is not exclusive to newly trained immigrant drivers.