DOT Review Finds 44% of Trucking Schools Are Noncompliant

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a sweeping warning to the commercial driving education industry, announcing that nearly 3,000 trucking schools face removal from the federal registry for failing to meet training requirements. Another 4,500 have been placed on notice in what officials say is a critical move to safeguard public safety and restore integrity to the CDL certification process.

Why Schools Are Being Targeted

According to the DOT’s December 1 announcement, a review of 16,000 CDL training providers uncovered widespread noncompliance. The primary issues cited include:

• Falsifying or manipulating training records

• Failing to meet minimum curriculum standards

• Subpar facility conditions or unqualified instructors

• Inadequate documentation or refusal to provide records during federal audits

Training programs that do not correct violations within 30 days will be decertified and barred from issuing the certificates needed by drivers to obtain a commercial license. Students are being notified of these actions, and many are expected to leave affected schools.

CDL Mills and Industry Reputation

Andrew Poliakoff, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association, emphasized that many of the schools being targeted are what the industry refers to as "CDL mills"—programs that charge high fees for low-quality, expedited training.

“Trucking is a professional career that requires real training," Poliakoff said. "You can’t teach someone to safely operate an 80,000-pound vehicle over a weekend."

He noted that none of the 400 locations under his association were decertified.

Broader Industry Impact

This action is part of a larger regulatory push from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to tighten licensing standards, particularly in the wake of deadly crashes involving unqualified drivers.

Duffy has threatened federal funding cuts to states failing to enforce proper CDL protocols. Minnesota, California, and Pennsylvania have all been put on notice. Duffy warned that $30.4 million in federal highway funds may be withheld from Minnesota if improperly issued licenses aren't revoked.

Immigration Enforcement and Industry Scrutiny

In tandem with training school audits, the Department of Homeland Security has begun auditing immigrant-owned trucking companies in California. The goal: verify the legal status of CDL holders and determine if licenses were issued in violation of federal immigration rules.

This has drawn criticism from immigrant advocacy groups who argue that the crackdown is disproportionately impacting Sikh and Punjabi drivers, many of whom make up a large portion of the West Coast's trucking workforce.

“Sikh and immigrant truckers with spotless records are being treated like suspects while they keep America’s freight moving,” United Sikhs said in a statement.

Industry Leaders Speak Out

Trucking leaders largely support the crackdown on subpar training providers. ATA President Chris Spear applauded the move:

“Training someone to operate an 80,000-pound vehicle is not a weekend hobby. The Trump administration has sent the right message: If you’re running a CDL mill or issuing certificates to anyone who can fog a mirror, you’re on notice.”

OOIDA President Todd Spencer added that the self-certification model for schools has long been problematic:

“When training standards are weak, or in some instances totally non-existent, drivers are unprepared, and everyone on the road pays the price.”

What This Means for Carriers and Students

For fleets and driver candidates alike, this marks a pivotal shift in how CDL training will be evaluated and enforced moving forward:

• Students should verify their school’s status on the Training Provider Registry and avoid institutions under proposed removal.

• Carriers should review where they recruit drivers from and ensure training meets federal guidelines.

• Schools must comply immediately or risk decertification and loss of business.

As the federal crackdown intensifies, Allcom Insurance is here to help ensure your business remains compliant and protected. For a compliance check-up or policy review, call 866-277-9049 or email info@allcomins.com.

The Bottom Line

DOT's review has revealed troubling gaps in CDL training oversight. But with stricter enforcement comes the opportunity to raise industry standards, improve road safety, and restore public trust in commercial licensing. Now is the time to ensure your team, partners, and programs meet the mark.