The Trump administration has shut down 270 commercial driver training schools as part of a nationwide CDL fraud crackdown targeting schools accused of violating federal requirements for commercial truck driver training and licensing.
According to a report by Fox Business, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the enforcement action alongside Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during a news conference in Detroit on August 31, 2026.
What Happened
The Department of Transportation is shutting down 110 driving schools described by officials as the “greatest offenders” in violations involving commercial driver’s licenses.
Another 160 schools are also being shut down because federal officials said they lacked adequate facilities for driving tests or employed instructors who were not properly licensed.
The action represents one of the Trump administration’s most significant moves against alleged CDL fraud since taking office.
Duffy said the administration’s investigation found widespread problems in the commercial driver training system, including schools that improperly certified drivers who were later cited for English-language proficiency violations during roadside inspections.
Key Details of the CDL Fraud Crackdown
110 Schools Identified as Major Offenders
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek Barrs said each of the 110 schools identified as the most serious offenders had certified at least 10 drivers who were subsequently cited for English-language proficiency violations by law enforcement.
According to Barrs, the 110 schools accounted for approximately 5,000 English-proficiency violations.
Federal officials said the enforcement action is intended to ensure that commercial truck drivers meet federal safety requirements before operating large vehicles on U.S. roads.
Another 160 Schools Shut Down
The administration is also taking action against 160 additional driving schools for basic compliance failures.
Duffy said some schools did not have enough space for students to complete required driving exercises. Others allegedly used instructors who were not licensed to provide commercial driver training.
The findings came after federal investigators examined 400 driver training schools. Barrs said approximately 40% of the schools investigated failed to meet federal rules and regulatory requirements.
Trucking Safety and Road Concerns
Federal officials linked the crackdown to concerns about highway safety.
Barrs cited several cases involving drivers who had received licenses improperly and were later involved in fatal crashes while working as commercial truck drivers.
“It’s unacceptable,” Barrs said while describing the consequences of inadequate training and licensing. He emphasized that enforcement was intended to address problems before additional drivers were placed on American roads.
The administration has framed the CDL crackdown as part of a broader effort to improve public safety and ensure that commercial drivers meet federal qualifications.
The issue also intersects with the administration’s efforts to strengthen workforce standards and oversight. Similar federal initiatives focused on strengthening workforce development and future employment opportunities are part of a wider policy agenda emphasizing training and compliance.
Immigration and Commercial Driver’s Licenses
The Trump administration has also connected the investigation to immigration enforcement.
Duffy accused the previous Biden administration of allowing large numbers of immigrants into the country and said some individuals subsequently received commercial driver’s licenses despite not being able to meet English-language requirements.
Those claims are part of the administration’s broader argument that federal and state licensing systems were not adequately enforcing existing commercial driving standards.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Immigration and Customs Enforcement had identified more than 100 individuals who had received commercial driver’s licenses with incomplete identifying information. Mullin said some licenses reportedly listed “No name given.”
The administration has made immigration-related CDL enforcement a significant part of its broader transportation and public safety agenda.
Federal Investigation Findings
The investigation into driver training schools uncovered multiple types of alleged violations.
Officials said some schools lacked appropriate classrooms or sufficient space for practical driving instruction. Others allegedly used instructors who did not have the necessary credentials.
Barrs also described cases where investigators found questionable training arrangements and students operating commercial vehicles without appropriate supervision.
The federal government’s findings suggest that the problem extends beyond individual drivers and includes businesses responsible for training and certifying commercial drivers.
That has prompted officials to focus enforcement on the schools and testing infrastructure involved in the CDL licensing process.
Political Impact
The crackdown gives the Trump administration another opportunity to highlight its transportation safety and immigration enforcement priorities.
Duffy has argued that commercial driver’s license requirements must be enforced consistently because large trucks can cause catastrophic damage when operated by inadequately trained drivers.
Mullin similarly characterized improperly licensed commercial drivers as a serious public safety concern.
The administration’s approach also places responsibility on training schools, rather than focusing exclusively on individual drivers. Officials say schools that certify drivers without meeting federal requirements should face enforcement action.
The crackdown comes amid broader federal efforts to increase oversight of industries and institutions that the administration says have failed to comply with existing rules.
What Happens Next
The Department of Transportation is expected to continue reviewing commercial driver training and testing operations as the administration expands its enforcement campaign.
The investigation of 400 schools could also lead to additional actions against training providers that fail to meet federal requirements.
The administration’s immediate priority is to remove non-compliant schools from the CDL training system and prevent improperly qualified drivers from entering the commercial trucking workforce.
The CDL fraud crackdown could ultimately lead to tighter scrutiny of driver training schools, testing facilities and commercial driver’s license applicants nationwide.
For the trucking industry, the enforcement campaign could increase compliance costs for training providers while putting greater emphasis on English proficiency, instructor qualifications and appropriate testing facilities. For the administration, officials say the broader objective is straightforward: ensuring that commercial truck drivers operating on U.S. roads are properly trained, qualified and capable of meeting federal safety requirements.
The crackdown also reflects a broader federal focus on transportation oversight. That focus extends beyond trucking, including policies affecting other transportation industries such as U.S.-Canada automotive trade and transportation.
Federal officials said the schools violated commercial driver training requirements, including English proficiency, facility and instructor standards.
The administration announced the shutdown of 110 major offenders and 160 additional schools, totaling 270 schools.