USDOT Hearings Examine the Future of Trucking Safety and Regulation
- CVTA Staff
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
The Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) is closely monitoring two significant congressional hearings in Washington. Each is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EST this morning, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, and will offer important insights into the regulatory outlook affecting the truck driver training industry.
The first hearing, held by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, will feature U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in his first appearance before the Committee. The hearing, titled “Oversight of the Department of Transportation’s Policies and Programs and Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request,” offers a key opportunity for Congress and the public to hear directly from Secretary Duffy on his priorities and vision for the Department.
Secretary Duffy has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to safety and enforcement within the trucking industry, and CVTA looks forward to hearing his testimony.
Simultaneously, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, chaired by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), will convene a nomination hearing for Chief Derek Barrs to serve as the next Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The hearing can be viewed here.
CVTA has endorsed Chief Barr’s confirmation due to his extensive background in law enforcement and commercial vehicle safety enforcement in Florida. CVTA's letter can be read here.
CVTA views Chief Barrs as an enforcement-minded leader that is uniquely positioned to increase removals of bad actors from the Training Provider Registry. Barrs understands the urgency of removing unqualified training providers from the system, and CVTA anticipates he will bring a firm approach to enforcing the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Rule. His confirmation would be a significant step forward in restoring the integrity of the TPR and systematic consistency to FMCSA oversight.
