Federal Review Threatens Closure of Nearly 3,000 Trucking Schools
Approximately 44% of the 16,000 truck driving programs across the United States could face closure as the Transportation Department plans to revoke certification for nearly 3,000 schools. This action follows a review indicating potential non-compliance with minimum training requirements. Affected schools have been given a 30-day window to meet standards or risk losing their ability to certify drivers, which is crucial for obtaining a commercial license. An additional 4,500 programs have been cautioned about possible future actions.
Schools losing certification will no longer issue the required training certificates, likely leading to student withdrawals. The exact number of currently active schools among those targeted remains unclear.
Homeland Security Audits Immigrant-Owned Trucking Firms
In a separate initiative, the Department of Homeland Security is conducting audits of trucking companies in California owned by immigrants. The audits aim to verify the qualifications and immigration status of their drivers. These efforts are part of a broader government strategy to ensure only qualified individuals hold commercial driver’s licenses. This initiative intensified following a tragic incident involving an unauthorized truck driver causing a fatal crash in Florida, as noted by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The crash resulted in the deaths of three individuals and highlighted gaps in the system.
Duffy stated that the measures aim to curb “illegal and reckless practices that let poorly trained drivers get behind the wheel of semi-trucks and school buses.”
Potential Funding Cuts and Legal Challenges
Secretary Duffy has threatened to withdraw federal funding from states like California, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota if they fail to address issues in their commercial driver’s license programs. Specifically, in Minnesota, he has proposed withholding $30.4 million unless the state resolves its program deficiencies. This includes revoking licenses issued without proper verification of a driver’s immigration status. While all states currently under scrutiny are Democratic, Duffy has indicated audits are also ongoing in states such as Texas and South Dakota.
In response, Claire Lancaster, a representative for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, emphasized the state’s commitment to road safety and compliance with federal laws.
The Impact on the Trucking Industry and Driver Shortage
The potential closure of trucking schools raises questions about its impact on the ongoing driver shortage. Andrew Poliakoff, executive director of a major trucking school association, described many of the targeted programs as questionable “CDL mills,” which focus on quick training rather than comprehensive education. Legitimate schools generally offer extensive training over a month, involving both practical and classroom instruction.
Poliakoff criticized these operations for financially exploiting individuals without equipping them with necessary skills, stating, “Trucking is an outstanding career. And the people who are not familiar with the industry might see someone charging $1,000 in $2,000 for a long weekend or quick training. And they may think that that’s desirable, but that’s really not.” His association, which encompasses 100 schools with 400 locations nationwide, reported no decertifications among its members.
The Transportation Department identified the problematic schools as failing to meet training standards, maintain accurate records, and in some cases, fabricating training data. Some schools had already ceased operations prior to the federal action.
Yogi Sanwal, a former school owner, explained his school’s closure in 2022 was due to financial constraints after federal accreditation changes prompted costly county-mandated upgrades. His school had trained approximately 500 drivers over its operational years.
Mixed Reactions from Industry Groups
While trucking industry groups have generally supported stricter licensing standards, organizations representing immigrant drivers argue the measures unfairly target individuals based on citizenship status. The Nevada Trucking Association’s CEO, Paul J. Enos, emphasized the necessity of addressing regulatory loopholes, stating, “Bad actors who exploit loopholes in our regulatory systems are putting everyone at risk. This is unacceptable.”
Todd Spencer, President of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, warned of the risks associated with lax training standards, noting, “When training standards are weak, or in some instances totally non-existent, drivers are unprepared, and everyone on the road pays the price.”
Concerns from Immigrant Communities
The Sikh community, significantly represented in the trucking workforce, has voiced concerns over targeted audits and increased harassment following recent accidents involving Sikh drivers. According to the North American Punjabi Truckers Association, Sikhs account for about 40% of truck drivers on the West Coast and approximately 20% nationwide. There are an estimated 150,000 Sikh truck drivers in the U.S.
The UNITED SIKHS advocacy group highlighted fears that lawful drivers are being unjustly scrutinized, saying, “Sikh and immigrant truckers with spotless records are being treated like suspects while they keep America’s freight moving.” They argue that policies based on fear rather than facts can exacerbate xenophobia and threaten the national supply chain.
Following federal concerns, California has moved to revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses believed to have been improperly issued or extended beyond the validity of work permits.
