Truck driving schools: the government is further tightening controls

The Trump administration has intensified its oversight of truck driving schools. And the numbers speak for themselves: under the supervision of the Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), more than 550 CDL training programs now face immediate closure for “violating federal safety standards.”

This isn’t just a rumor circulating on the nation’s highways. Available statistics reveal that in February 2016, federal inspectors conducted 1,426 undercover operations in 50 states over just five days. The result was 448 schools cited for serious violations and 109 that took the drastic step of voluntarily closing after learning of the official visits.

What exactly is the government demanding? That truck driving schools fully comply with FMCSA regulations. The number one priority is that they have qualified instructors with a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and proven experience. They want nothing to do with “ghost” instructors who lack the proper credentials.

Secondly, they require that the schools be equipped with adequate and up-to-date training vehicles. That is, trucks in perfect condition and with sufficient technology. “We don’t accept rolling junk,” as one official in the area was heard saying in recent weeks.

Third, genuine student evaluations. They anticipate being relentless in ensuring that no one dares to issue fake diplomas. Fourth, mandatory compliance with the specific training for transporting hazardous materials. And key and indispensable: full command of English for the CDL exams. No exceptions!

The Trucking Schools We Deserve

Regarding this issue, Secretary Sean Duffy has been clear and explicit: “American families deserve truckers who follow every letter of the law.” And those who don’t comply can say goodbye to federal funding and national registration.

This year alone, 2026, the government has already proposed closing more than 550 truck driving schools. Most are concentrated in states with a high density of freight vehicles, such as California, Texas, and Florida, where, according to inspectors, veritable “license factories” operate for immigrants. But it’s important to note that these controls are nationwide; that is, from coast to coast of the United States.

We’re not living through “the end of the world,” of course. But whatever might happen in the coming days will add to the 3,000 truck driving schools that were shut down in November 2025 and the thousands more that have already been warned. To sum it up, almost half of the 16,000 schools listed by the government are under scrutiny. And it’s unlikely they’ll be spared.

For experts, it’s easy to deduce that this scenario could mean a drastic reduction in the skilled workforce. The industry already faces a chronic shortage, with 80,000 truck driver vacancies reported for 2025. The math is simple: with truck driving schools closing, there will be fewer new CDLs entering the market.

Less training, more accidents

Groups like the ATA (American Trucking Associations) and OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association) applaud the crackdown and consequently warn: “Without proper training, the risk of accidents increases.” Meanwhile, other truckers view the situation with dismay, because it all implies that higher wages will be imposed to attract talent and avoid further delays on the highways.

For their part, experts estimate that between 10,000 and 20,000 potential truckers a year will be excluded due to these announced closures.

Furthermore, these measures are also interpreted as yet another anti-immigrant control mechanism. And this assumption has merit. Inspections determined that many of the closed schools were issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants without verifying their legal status or English language proficiency. This facilitated the issuance of thousands of illegal licenses.

Seeking support for its policies, the Trump administration has linked this situation to fatal crashes caused by “ghost drivers.” And, of course, nothing comes without a price: California has already lost federal funding for not requiring proof of citizenship. As with everything in life, for legal truckers, it’s protection; for everyone else, a nearly insurmountable barrier.

The head of the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) has officially denied these ulterior motives: “It’s for safety, not immigration,” they claim. But the timing, post-Trump reelection, and the focus on “sanctuary states” demonstrate that the political agenda is scrutinizing American highways.

The trucking industry is estimated to generate $900 billion annually in the U.S. So, there’s a lot to lose. And a lot to understand: quality must be prioritized over quantity. And properly trained trucking schools save both lives and businesses.