Federal action to tighten CDL training oversight

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a major enforcement action this week aimed at strengthening safety on the nation’s roads by tightening oversight of commercial driver’s license (CDL) training providers. The agency said the move is intended to remove unqualified drivers and corrupt operators from the trucking industry.

Scale of removals and notices

DOT Secretary Sean P. Duffy said nearly 3,000 CDL training facilities have been removed from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Training Provider Registry (TPR). An additional 4,500 training providers have been placed on notice for potential noncompliance with federal requirements.

Role of the Training Provider Registry and planned review

The DOT explained that the TPR lists providers authorized to deliver federally required Entry-Level Driver Training for CDL applicants. The agency said this purge is the first step in a broader review of roughly 16,000 providers in the registry to identify and remove noncompliant programs.

Reasons for removal and standards cited

Officials said providers were removed for a variety of reasons, including failures to properly prepare trainees to meet the White House’s "standards of readiness" and other forms of noncompliance with federal training requirements.

Secretary Duffy’s statement on enforcement

Secretary Duffy framed the action as a crackdown on what he described as illegal or reckless practices that allowed poorly trained drivers onto public roadways. He said the administration is moving to end policies that he argued previously let unqualified drivers enter the industry and to restore stricter enforcement of training and licensing standards.

Industry support and comments from ATA

The decision drew prompt backing from several trade groups. American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said training drivers to operate large commercial vehicles is a professional responsibility and welcomed the administration’s message to shut down so-called CDL mills.

In October, ATA also sent a letter to congressional leaders urging stronger qualifications and oversight for CDL issuance. The letter called for measures including

• requiring individuals to hold a standard driver’s license for at least one year before becoming eligible for a CDL
• strengthening federal and state oversight of CDL issuance and testing to ensure only fully qualified drivers enter the industry
• speeding the removal of noncompliant training providers from the FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry

Responses from NITL and TIA urging balance

Nancy O’Liddy, executive director of the National Industrial Transportation League, applauded DOT and FMCSA efforts to maintain high training and safety standards for entry-level drivers but urged collaboration with states, training schools and stakeholders to avoid unintentionally penalizing legitimate providers.

O’Liddy also stressed the need to provide fair paths for students currently enrolled to complete valid training, to preserve access to education—particularly in underserved and rural areas—and to monitor the purge’s effects on driver supply and workforce equity.

Chris Burroughs, president and CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association, said TIA supports DOT’s steps to ensure integrity and accountability in commercial driver training and emphasized that rigorous oversight protects carriers, shippers and the public while recognizing legitimate programs.

Potential industry impacts and expert analysis

Analysts say the removals could tighten capacity as the trucking industry heads into 2026. Morgan Stanley analyst Ravi Shanker wrote that this action represents another capacity headwind, alongside a stricter regulatory environment that includes English proficiency requirements, closer B1 visa monitoring and rules affecting non-domiciled CDLs.

Jeff Tucker, CEO of Tucker Company Worldwide, described it as troubling that many schools operated illegally or with serious deficiencies, and he praised the Department of Transportation for refocusing on safety. Tucker added that the agency should concentrate on its core mission of ensuring safe transportation systems rather than intervening in commercial pricing or contracting issues.

Next steps and broader priorities

The DOT indicated it will continue its review of the Training Provider Registry and other enforcement actions to prevent inadequately trained drivers from entering the industry. Officials and industry groups said safety remains the paramount concern, while some stakeholders urged careful implementation to protect legitimate trainers and maintain access to training programs.