WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The U.S. Department of Transportation has removed 3,000 commercial driver’s license (CDL) training providers from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Training Provider Registry after officials said the programs failed to meet the Trump administration’s standard of readiness. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the action as part of a broader effort to tighten oversight of CDL training and crack down on illegal trucking activity.
Duffy said the administration will not allow training providers to “cut corners” or certify unprepared drivers. The move suspends each provider’s authorization to offer federally required Entry-Level Driver Training, a key step for anyone seeking a CDL. He said the previous administration allowed “bad actors” to slip through the system and jeopardize roadway safety. “Their negligence endangered every family on America’s roadways, and it ends today,” Duffy said.
Another 4,500 training providers have been placed on notice for potential noncompliance. Federal officials said they could face removal from the registry if they fail to meet safety and documentation requirements. In a statement, the Department of Transportation said it acted after numerous training providers submitted falsified or manipulated student records. Federal investigators also found programs that failed to follow the required curriculum, used inadequate facilities, allowed unqualified instructors to teach, or refused to provide records during audits.
FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs emphasized that the agency will continue removing training centers that do not follow federal rules. “If you are unwilling to follow the rules, you have no place training America’s commercial drivers,” Barrs said. “We will not tolerate negligence.” The enforcement wave extends beyond training providers. The administration has taken aim at non-domicile CDL programs, which allow states to issue CDLs to non-residents. White House officials claim some states used the process to grant CDLs to undocumented immigrants.
Federal regulators are also targeting truck drivers who fail English language fluency tests, setting off criticism from immigrant-rights groups and trucking associations. Industry leaders argue the new restrictions could worsen an already strained driver workforce.
The latest actions come after several major crashes involving drivers of Indian origin drew national attention. Critics of the administration say officials are using isolated incidents to justify sweeping enforcement efforts that could disrupt the trucking industry. Supporters argue the rules are necessary to keep unsafe drivers off U.S. highways. They say strong oversight of CDL training is critical as commercial trucks continue to share busy roadways with millions of passenger vehicles each day.
The removal of 3,000 training providers could make it harder for prospective drivers to access federally approved CDL instruction. Many programs serve rural or underserved regions with limited alternatives. Industry experts warn that fewer training options may slow the entry of new drivers into the workforce.
Still, the administration insists the crackdown will raise safety standards and rebuild trust in the CDL system. Duffy said the White House aims to eliminate “illegal and reckless practices” that allowed poorly trained drivers to operate heavy trucks and school buses under previous administrations.
