The Transportation Department closed 270 commercial driver’s licensing schools nationwide Monday for graduating drivers unable to speak English and operating substandard training facilities, marking the largest enforcement action against the trucking education industry in recent history.
Enforcement Action Targets Safety Violations
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the immediate shutdown of 110 schools found to have trained 5,000 students who could not speak English, violating federal requirements in place for decades. Speaking at a Detroit press conference alongside Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and federal prosecutors, Duffy emphasized that English proficiency is mandatory for commercial vehicle operators crossing state lines. The department removed these institutions from the federal Training Provider Registry, forcing immediate closure of operations.
An additional 160 schools faced suspension for failing to meet basic training facility standards. Investigators discovered some schools claimed single trucks or small parking lots as complete training centers, violating federal certification requirements that ensure adequate space and equipment for proper driver education.
Fatal Consequences Drive Action
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Derek Barrs cited specific examples of tragic outcomes from inadequate training. Platinum Plus Truck Driving School in California certified 36 drivers later cited for English language violations, with one trainee killing someone in Oklahoma. ASC Technical Institute in Texas certified 58 such drivers, including one who ran a stop sign and caused a fatal crash. Data shows 239 people died in crashes involving non-English speaking truck drivers since January 2025, with California issuing most licenses used by operators in these incidents.
The enforcement follows findings that the previous administration allowed schools to self-certify compliance with federal standards. Duffy stated his department’s analysis revealed widespread failure to meet these requirements among the approximately 31,000 commercial driver’s licensing schools operating across America. Every shuttered school had passed at least 10 drivers subsequently cited for English language proficiency violations during roadside inspections.
Stricter Oversight Going Forward
The crackdown represents a shift from self-certification to active federal oversight of driver training programs. While states issue commercial driver’s licenses permitting interstate operation, federal authorities maintain responsibility for setting and enforcing national standards. Officials emphasized existing regulations require English proficiency for safety reasons, enabling drivers to read road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and respond to emergency situations. The announcement included testimony from families affected by crashes, including five-year-old Delilah Coleman, who suffered brain injuries in a 2024 pileup caused by an inadequately trained driver in California.