In brief
The federal Transportation Department plans to revoke the accreditation of nearly 3,000 truck driving schools that have allegedly failed to comply with training requirements within the next 30 days, following a crackdown triggered by a fatal crash involving an unauthorized driver. Another 4,000 schools have been warned of similar action. The crackdown aims to ensure qualified truck drivers hold commercial licenses and maintain safety on the roads.
Nearly 44% of the 16,000 truck driving schools in the U.S. may face closure due to non-compliance with federal training requirements as identified by the Transportation Department.
The Department announced plans on Monday to revoke accreditation for approximately 3,000 schools within 30 days unless they demonstrate compliance. Furthermore, an additional 4,000 schools have received warnings indicating they may also be subjected to similar actions.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the government to ensure that truck drivers possess the necessary qualifications and meet eligibility requirements for commercial licenses. The push for stricter compliance followed a tragic incident in Florida, where a driver allegedly unauthorized to be in the U.S. made an illegal U-turn, resulting in a crash that claimed three lives.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has threatened to withdraw federal funding from states like California and Pennsylvania over the matter, while also proposing new limitations on the immigrant drivers eligible for commercial licenses—though a court has temporarily halted these new regulations.
We are reigning in illegal and reckless practices that let poorly trained drivers get behind the wheel of semi-trucks and school buses, Duffy stated.
The Department reported that the schools facing action did not adhere to essential training standards and failed to keep accurate and complete training records. Allegations include reports of falsifying or manipulating training data.
The specific identities of the targeted schools have not been disclosed.
