Thousands of U.S. trucking schools could lose accreditation under DOT crackdown

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NPR

December 1, 2025 6:06 PM ET


WASHINGTON — The Department of Transportation is threatening to shut down thousands of truck driving schools and other training providers as part of the Trump administration's widening crackdown on the U.S. trucking industry.

The DOT announced Monday it plans to revoke the accreditation of nearly 3,000 trucking schools and trainers unless they can comply with federal requirements within 30 days, and warned another 4,000 schools and trainers that they could face similar action.

"We are reigning in illegal and reckless practices that let poorly trained drivers get behind the wheel of semi-trucks and school buses," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a statement.

The names of those schools and trainers were not immediately released. Together they represent more than 40% of the nation's 16,000 authorized training providers, according to the DOT. The department accuses them of falsifying or manipulating training data, neglecting to meet required curriculum standards and instructor qualifications, and failing to maintain or share accurate records.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2025/12/01/nx-s1-5627474/cdl-trucking-schools-dot-crackdown

[progree]

1. I thought the Repukes were for small government and deregulation. But all of a sudden ...

Secretary Duffy argues the restrictions are urgently needed because there are too many foreign-born truckers who don't know the rules of the road, and don't speak English proficiently.

But the administration's critics argue there's no data to support this claim, despite a handful of high-profile crashes that have garnered significant attention from conservative media. They say the push for tougher regulations amounts to an immigration crackdown by another name.

. . .

"The safety crackdown has been long overdue," said Pawan Singh, who owns a small trucking company in Northern Virginia.

In an NPR interview last month, Singh conceded that many schools are churning out drivers without giving them the skills to operate an 18-wheeler safely — though he says the problem isn't limited to newly-trained immigrant drivers. "An untrained driver is dangerous whether they were born here or they were born overseas."

I wonder if there will be a crackdown on widespread log revising so as to get around regulations on how many hours a driver can be on the road in a 24 hour period

[JBTaurus83]

2. There is already

A shortage of truck drivers and bus drivers. It’s hard to see anything other than sabotage of our economy with many of these decisions.

[Buddyzbuddy]

3. My theory is companies want self driving trucks on the road.

They may be trying to create public demand and acceptance of that hazardous situation.
Companies would love it. No more driver restrictions and trucks would run 24/7. No breaks, no medical insurance, no wages and no unions. Dream come true for capitalists and Republicans alike.

Unless, your family is the one of many crushed by a single truck crash.

[Nigrum Cattus]

4. it's not a theory

tesla already has self-driving tractors
the corps are also asking for tractors to be
able to pull 3 trailers

[Buddyzbuddy]

5. Thank you. I'm aware the equipment is available.

The problem is public outcry, a lack of an acceptable safety record and legislation.

Therefore, this administration is restricting access to new drivers to facilitate Musk/Tesla as well as trucking companies to expedite implementation of self driving trucks.

[popsdenver]

6. Not sure that will help much

Here in Colorado we have had a rash of un-trained, un-licensed, un-insured, non-english speaking semi-drivers causing Major trucking accidents, killing many. When they investigated the Corporation that was employing them, they discovered 48? of their 50? drivers were the same as the ones that were involved in the tragic accidents....

Such situations, of CORPORATIONS hiring these individuals listed above, would not be affected much by clamping down on Truck Driving Schools to any large degree.

Besides, cost cutting by corporations in Truck Maintenance and un-qualified, or inexperienced Drivers, will only become greater, as the economy worsens, with people not able to purchase as much, Over the road trucking will certainly be affected, same as railroads, and air freight............

If MCE reads this, maybe he has some comments on the over the road trucking industry at this time.....