Nearly 3,000 commercial driver's license training providers have been removed from federal registry for failing to meet training standards, while 4,500 others face warnings in sweeping industry overhaul.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched a major cleanup of commercial driver's license (CDL) training programs, removing nearly 3,000 providers from its official registry for failing to meet federal standards. Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy announced the move as part of efforts to address systemic issues in truck driver training that have left many graduates unprepared for the job market and created potential safety hazards.
Quality Control in Driver Training
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Training Provider Registry (TPR) serves as the primary resource for aspiring truck drivers to identify qualified training programs. However, investigators found numerous "CDL mills" had compromised training quality by cutting instructional hours, reducing hands-on practice, and employing unqualified instructors—all while charging full tuition fees.
"These substandard programs not only defraud students but endanger everyone on our roads," said an FMCSA spokesperson. "When drivers enter the workforce without proper training, it creates preventable safety risks."
Common Violations Found
The removed training providers exhibited multiple deficiencies:
• Incomplete curriculum that omitted required theoretical knowledge and practical skills
• Underqualified instructors lacking proper certifications or experience
• Inadequate training facilities that couldn't support proper vehicle operation practice
• Misleading advertising about job placement rates and earning potential
An additional 4,500 registered schools received compliance warnings and must demonstrate improvements or face similar removal. FMCSA plans intensified monitoring of these programs during their probationary period.
Safety Implications
Federal data shows a correlation between poorly trained CDL holders and increased accident rates. The cleanup initiative aims to standardize training quality across states while giving prospective students reliable information to choose reputable programs.
The FMCSA will implement enhanced oversight measures, including more frequent facility inspections and stricter documentation requirements for training providers. The agency also plans to modernize its TPR platform to provide greater transparency about program performance metrics.
Industry analysts predict the reforms will significantly reduce the number of unqualified CDL graduates entering the trucking workforce each year, while encouraging higher training standards across the education sector serving commercial drivers.