Federal authorities are intensifying oversight of commercial driver training programs amid mounting concerns over roadway safety.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced that nearly 3,000 commercial driver’s license (CDL) training providers will be removed from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry for failing to meet readiness standards established under the Trump administration.
An additional 4,500 programs have been placed on notice for potential noncompliance.
Duffy criticized prior administrations for allowing underqualified drivers to operate large vehicles, putting passengers, pedestrians and other motorists at risk.
“This administration is cracking down on every link in the illegal trucking chain,” he said, stressing that the measures are designed to ensure semi-trucks, school buses and other commercial vehicles are operated by properly trained drivers.
The crackdown has drawn opposition from 20 states, which warn that the Interim Final Rule (IFR) could disrupt essential services.
State officials emphasize that commercial drivers are vital for school transportation, maintaining roads, operating public transit and delivering goods.
They argue that removing noncompliant drivers may create workforce shortages and impose costly adjustments on state licensing systems.
Many also note the potential impact on children’s daily commutes, citing concerns over reduced bus availability in some districts, BizPac Review reports.
The need for stricter standards is underscored by recent deadly incidents involving large commercial vehicles.
Last month, a crash on Interstate 30 in Texas involving two semi-trucks resulted in at least one death after a collision between the vehicles, highlighting the extreme danger posed when tractor-trailers share the road with inadequately trained drivers.
The Denver Gazette reported about an incident that saw a semi-truck lose control on a mountainous pass in Colorado, plunging off a cliff and causing a fatal crash — a stark reminder of how quickly a driving error can turn deadly when large loads and hazardous terrain are involved.
Nationwide data further illustrate the magnitude of the problem.
In 2023, more than 5,300 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes across the United States.
According to FMCSA statistics, the rate of fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses reached 15.8 per million people in 2022, a 50 percent increase compared to 2010.
Advocates for stricter oversight argue that many such tragedies could be prevented if all commercial drivers were held to consistent, rigorous training and vetting standards.
Critics of the IFR contend that it may strain state budgets, circumvent congressionally mandated notice-and-comment procedures and prevent non-domiciled drivers from performing essential work.
Federal authorities counter that rigorous enforcement is necessary to reverse troubling trends in large-truck crash fatalities, especially along interstate corridors where heavy vehicles operate frequently.
By removing noncompliant training programs and monitoring adherence to federal standards, authorities aim to ensure commercial drivers are fully qualified to operate large vehicles.
Officials say improved training is essential not only to protect passengers and pedestrians but also to maintain public confidence in commercial transportation.
As the IFR takes effect, states, employers, and drivers will need to adapt to the stricter requirements, while federal authorities continue tracking compliance and safety outcomes.
The renewed oversight reflects a broader commitment to public safety.
With nearly 7,500 programs now under scrutiny, authorities maintain that the initiative will strengthen America’s commercial transportation system, protect children and commuters and reduce preventable deaths on roadways nationwide.
The confrontation between the Trump administration–era standards and 20 resisting states highlights both the complexity and urgency of ensuring that only qualified drivers operate vehicles critical to public safety.
