Nearly 44% of the 16,000 truck driving schools in the United States may be at risk of closure following a review by the Department of Transportation. The federal agency announced plans to revoke the accreditation of almost 3,000 schools unless they comply with training requirements within 30 days. These schools are required to inform their students that their accreditation is in jeopardy. An additional 4,500 schools have received warnings and could face similar action if issues are not addressed.
If a school loses its accreditation, it will no longer be able to issue certificates necessary for obtaining a commercial driver’s license. As a result, students may leave these institutions.
In a separate effort, the Department of Homeland Security is conducting audits on trucking companies in California that are owned by immigrants. The goal is to verify drivers’ immigration status and ensure they are qualified for commercial licenses.
These actions follow an incident in Florida where an unauthorized truck driver caused a fatal crash. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy commented on the crackdown: “We are reigning in illegal and reckless practices that let poorly trained drivers get behind the wheel of semi-trucks and school buses.”
The Department stated that targeted schools failed to meet training standards and did not keep proper records. Some were accused of falsifying or manipulating training data. The list of affected schools has not yet been made public.
Industry groups have supported efforts to enforce stricter licensing standards, including English proficiency requirements implemented earlier this year. Paul J. Enos, CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association, said: “Bad actors who exploit loopholes in our regulatory systems are putting everyone at risk. This is unacceptable,” adding that solutions must be implemented.
Todd Spencer, President of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, noted longstanding concerns about self-certification among trucking schools: “When training standards are weak, or in some instances totally non-existent, drivers are unprepared, and everyone on the road pays the price.”
However, organizations representing immigrant drivers argue that enforcement actions disproportionately target them based on citizenship status rather than safety violations.
Sikh truck drivers report increased scrutiny after recent crashes involving Sikh drivers drew attention from authorities. The North American Punjabi Truckers Association estimates Sikhs make up about 40% of West Coast truckers and roughly 20% nationwide—approximately 150,000 Sikh truck drivers across the U.S.
The United Sikhs advocacy group shared concerns from Punjabi company owners about aggressive immigration audits: “Sikh and immigrant truckers with spotless records are being treated like suspects while they keep America’s freight moving,” they said. “When federal agencies frame lawful, licensed drivers as risks, it doesn’t improve safety — it fuels xenophobia, harassment, and even violence on the road. Any policy built on fear instead of facts endangers families, civil rights, and the national supply chain.”
