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Removal of CDL Mills Becomes National News After USDOT Press Release and Viral AP News Story

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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has taken historic action that puts the spotlight squarely on fraudulent “truck-driving schools” nationwide. On December 1, 2025, Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the removal of nearly 3,000 commercial driver’s license (CDL) training providers from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry (TPR), because they failed to meet the minimal standards required under federal law. Another 4,500 providers are now on notice — with just 30 days to prove compliance — for suspected falsification of training data, inadequate curriculum, facility shortcomings, unqualified instructors, or refusal to turn over records for audits.


USDOT Press Release on CDL Mill Removals


The crackdown has reverberated widely, and in its recent coverage, Associated Press (AP) described this as a sweeping “nationwide review” that found roughly 44 % of the 16,000 trucking schools listed nationwide may not be in compliance. According to AP, the scale of non-compliance is vast — nearly half of all listed schools may face shutdown or decertification if they cannot meet federal standards soon. In that story, the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) was singled out as a leading industry organization that has long pushed for just this kind of accountability: stronger oversight, clear entry-level driver training (ELDT) standards, and the elimination of “CDL mills.”


For CVTA, this is a moment of vindication. As a trade association representing hundreds of legitimate—and properly structured—truck-driver training schools, CVTA has spent years advocating for consistent, high-quality training standards, transparent oversight, and an end to fraudulent operators that undermine public safety and the professional credibility of the industry. This federal action validates CVTA’s message: that quick-turnaround “schools” offering minimal instruction and little accountability are not only a disservice to aspiring drivers — they pose a real danger to the public. With thousands of fraudulent providers now facing removal or reproval, legitimate CVTA-member schools are likely to gain greater recognition and trust in the marketplace — strengthening the pipeline of qualified, safety-conscious drivers and elevating the overall standard of the CDL industry.


STATEMENT FROM CVTA:


The Commercial Vehicle Training Association strongly supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s focus on removing fraudulent and non-compliant trucking schools from the Training Provider Registry. For years, CVTA has warned that ‘CDL mills’ undermine safety, exploit students, and erode trust in the commercial driving profession. The vast majority of America’s truck drivers are trained by reputable, established programs, and today’s enforcement actions help ensure a level playing field for schools that meet or exceed federal ELDT standards. Robust oversight protects students, carriers, and the motoring public—and we encourage continued coordination between states and federal regulators to swiftly remove bad actors and ensure the integrity of the licensing system. CVTA remains committed to working collaboratively with FMCSA and state partners to strengthen enforcement, protect opportunity, and uphold the high training standards this industry and the traveling public deserve. CVTA looks forward to continuing as a standard bearer for high quality training in the industry and welcomes organizations that wish to learn more about heightening their training activities. Please visit CVTA's Press Inquiries | CVTA to learn more about the need to remove CDL mills to protect safety and opportunity in trucking. 



 
 
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