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In a press conference, Duffy pledged federal effort to eliminate fraud and improve trucking safety standards.
On the morning of October 31, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy held a press conference addressing several key issues within the transportation industry. Among the main topics were law enforcement measures for carriers, efforts to combat the illegal issuance of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), and the ongoing driver shortage crisis.
With the goal of improving road safety, Duffy outlined new strategies the Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to implement to strengthen the industry through stricter penalties and greater oversight in compliance processes.
I will hold trucker companies and shippers that load up big rigs ACCOUNTABLE!⁰⁰A company can’t hire a trucker and do it knowing they can’t speak English. @WillCainShow pic.twitter.com/iAUoXISYdP
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) October 31, 2025
Duffy to strengthen English Language Proficiency enforcement
One of the most debated issues in the trucking industry in 2025 has been English Language Proficiency among truck drivers and its impact on safety. Following the accident in Florida last August, the matter has become a top priority for the DOT.
During the press conference, Duffy announced a significant expansion of the department’s enforcement strategy, which will hold not only carriers but also shippers accountable if they allow commercial truck drivers who lack English proficiency to operate.
This change reinforces compliance standards and exposes carriers to penalties if they fail to ensure that the drivers arriving at their docks meet language requirements. It will also compel freight agencies to take a more active role in verifying driver qualifications, shifting away from the current practice of focusing solely on carriers. The measure is also expected to affect freight sales teams, as clients may hold them responsible for contracting loads with unqualified drivers.
Duffy emphasized: “No company can hire someone who doesn’t speak English. They must train their drivers or face higher insurance rates. We’re going to hold them accountable.”
Duffy targets CDL “factories”: working with DHS
Another of Duffy’s key initiatives is a new federal effort to dismantle so-called “CDL factories,” as he described them, commercial driving schools accused of certifying unqualified drivers, whether due to poor English proficiency, inadequate driving skills, or incomplete citizenship documentation.
Duffy reported that these schools issue fraudulent certifications to state Departments of Transportation without proper oversight, allowing unprepared drivers to obtain licenses and operate commercial vehicles. “We’re going after CDL factories operating across the country. There will be serious consequences,” the Transportation Secretary warned.
To that end, the DOT will also investigate transportation companies that hire drivers with questionable credentials. To ensure compliance, the department is considering financial penalties and, in extreme cases, revoking a state’s authority to issue commercial licenses.
The DOT also plans to collaborate with agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expand roadside inspection capabilities. According to Duffy, the department lacks a “massive police presence,” so a strategic partnership with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could help close that gap.
A real driver shortage? Duffy prioritizes road safety
Addressing concerns about the driver shortage and the potential impact of stricter enforcement, Duffy stated that the DOT’s actions, including the crackdown on fraudulent CDLs and the English proficiency requirement, are designed to enhance safety without disrupting the supply chain.
He rejected the notion of a genuine shortage of American drivers, arguing that the issue stems from low wages caused by the hiring of drivers with illegal or fraudulent licenses, which in turn discourages companies from offering fair pay to qualified drivers.
By removing these unqualified operators, Duffy said, American truckers will fill the gap, and freight operations will continue “more safely and efficiently.”
Duffy urged trucking companies to promote the profession by highlighting its advantages, such as the people who work in the industry and the earning potential it offers. He also reaffirmed his commitment to safety, noting that better-trained, qualified drivers make U.S. roads safer for everyone.
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