Transportation and Homeland Security Target CDL Schools

Until now, when a commercial driver training school failed to comply with federal regulations, investigations were handled primarily by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). That is now changing.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that it will work alongside the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to investigate fraud involving schools that train commercial truck drivers and provide the instruction required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

The major change is not a new requirement for truck drivers, but who will be investigating these cases. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the federal agency that typically handles complex criminal cases involving fraud, document forgery, organized crime, and criminal networks, will now take part in these investigations.

For the trucking industry, this marks a significant shift. Fraud involving driver training is no longer being treated solely as a regulatory issue—it may now be investigated as a potential federal crime.

About 75 schools under investigation

FMCSA said it has identified approximately 75 entry-level driver training (ELDT) providers suspected of serious irregularities.

Investigators are looking into allegations including:

• Issuing training certificates without completing required instruction;
• Falsified training records;
• Practice hours that never occurred;
• Students being certified without meeting minimum federal standards.

With Homeland Security Investigations joining the effort, authorities will be able to use investigative tools far beyond those available during a traditional administrative audit.

What changes for truck drivers?

For drivers who legitimately earned their CDL, nothing changes.

However, the level of federal oversight over the schools training new drivers is increasing significantly.

Motor carriers should also pay closer attention to where newly hired drivers received their training, particularly those who recently obtained their CDL.

If a training provider is ultimately removed from the federal registry because of fraud, investigations could expand to examine certifications issued by that institution.

A criminal investigation, not just an audit

The involvement of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) means these cases may now include potential federal offenses such as:

• Document fraud;
• Falsification of official records;
• Conspiracy;
• False statements to the federal government;
• Use of fraudulent documentation.

In practical terms, these cases are no longer limited to administrative violations. They can now be pursued using the investigative authority and criminal enforcement powers available in federal criminal cases.

Part of a broader cleanup effort

The joint operation follows months of increased enforcement within the commercial driver training system.

Since December 2025, the Department of Transportation has removed nearly 10,000 training providers from FMCSA’s National Training Provider Registry for failing to meet federal standards.

Earlier this year, the agency also notified more than 550 schools that they could be removed from the registry after audits uncovered compliance issues.

The next phase is the direct criminal investigation of schools suspected of fraud with support from the Department of Homeland Security.

Why it matters for the trucking industry

For many trucking companies, the school where a driver received training was simply another administrative detail used to verify CDL eligibility.

With this announcement, that information is becoming subject to far greater federal scrutiny.

The joint operation between FMCSA and Homeland Security Investigations demonstrates that Washington intends to oversee not only truck drivers and motor carriers, but also the schools and instructors responsible for training the next generation of commercial drivers. Federal officials believe that inadequate or fraudulent training can create serious highway safety risks, weaken the integrity of the trucking industry, disrupt supply chains, and facilitate additional crimes involving fraudulent documentation.

The message to the industry is clear: professional driver training is no longer viewed as a routine step toward earning a CDL. It is becoming one of the most closely monitored areas of commercial transportation. For carriers, driving schools, and instructors, maintaining accurate records, delivering legitimate training, and complying with every federal requirement will be just as important as the commercial license ultimately issued to the driver.