FMCSA Removes Nearly 3,000 CDL Training Providers: What It Means for Carriers

The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have taken sweeping action against fraudulent commercial driver’s license training programs, commonly called “CDL mills,” removing nearly 3,000 providers from the federal registry and placing 4,500 more on notice.

Recent headlines about this crackdown are sending a clear message across the commercial driving industry: a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is not proof of a driver’s competency. The responsibility for verifying and documenting driver qualifications belongs to carriers.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has made it clear that carriers who hire drivers with questionable training or credentials will be held accountable—which means your Driver Qualification Files and hiring documentation need to hold up to scrutiny.

Protecting your fleet and your business starts with making sure your hiring processes align with federal standards, and your records are complete and accurate.

What’s happening: CDL mills and the FMCSA crackdown

The enforcement effort follows several fatal crashes and findings of widespread fraud in CDL training programs. Federal analysis suggests that up to 44 percent of roughly 16,000 registered providers may not meet required Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards.

Violations include:

• Falsified training records
• Certificates issued without the required behind-the-wheel instruction
• Use of unqualified instructors
• Missing audit documentation
• Bypassed licensing or language requirements
• Credentials issued to individuals who never completed training or testing

FMCSA officials have stated that enforcement will not stop with training providers. Motor carriers that hire drivers without verifying or documenting qualifications should expect to face accountability as well.

You can review official federal guidance on safe hiring here.

A carrier’s burden of proof

Recent FMCSA enforcement activity reinforces that carriers are responsible for demonstrating due diligence in their hiring process.

Although these requirements have not changed, incomplete Driver Qualification Files and missing hiring documentation remain common and continue to drive violations across the industry. Failure to produce a complete Driver Qualification File when requested constitutes a violation under federal regulation.

What carriers can do to protect their fleet

Especially as enforcement tightens, safe hiring practices should be deliberate, documented, and consistent. The following steps help reduce risk and support compliance.

Verify entry-level driver training and the school

Confirm the driver completed the required Entry-Level Driver Training through a provider listed in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry at the time of training. Retain documentation showing both.

If your company trains drivers internally, you must meet all federal requirements and register as an FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training provider.

Check the license and medical certification

Verify the CDL class, endorsements, and restrictions. Obtain a Motor Vehicle Record directly from the issuing state. Confirm that the medical examiner’s certificate is current and document the expiration date.

Run required safety background checks

Before hiring, complete a pre-employment FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query and contact prior employers for safety performance history, including crash records and employment verification.

Many carriers also obtain a Pre-Employment Screening Program report as an added layer of review.

Confirm the driver can operate the vehicle

Conduct a company road test or retain acceptable documentation of a CDL skills test. Record who administered the test, when it occurred, and what equipment was used.

Slow down when something does not add up

Unexplained training gaps, inconsistent work history, vague safety knowledge, or schools that are difficult to verify warrant further review. Do not let hiring pressure override safety concerns.

English proficiency is also under increased scrutiny. Federal regulations require CDL holders to speak and read English well enough to understand road signs, respond to officials, and complete required documentation. Duffy has stated that carriers hiring drivers who “do not speak the language” will be held accountable, and more than 9,500 drivers have already been removed from service for failing to meet English proficiency requirements.

Ensure everything lives in the Driver Qualification File

Driver Qualification Files should include applications, ELDT documentation, Motor Vehicle Records, prior employer responses, Clearinghouse results, license copies, medical certificates, and road test documentation.

US Compliance Services is here to help

As regulations evolve and enforcement increases, carriers need consistent systems and accurate records. US Compliance Services helps carriers maintain clean, audit-ready files.

The bottom line: carriers cannot control training providers, but they can mitigate risk by controlling how they hire, verify, and document their process.

If you need support reviewing your hiring process or assessing your current driver files, contact us to get started.