# U.S. expands crackdown on CDL training school fraud > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-federal-crackdown-on-cdl-training-schools > Updated: 2026-09-05T01:53:00.000Z. Sources: 51. Developments: 3. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have expanded their interagency crackdown on commercial driver license (CDL) fraud, moving to shut down a total of 270 driving schools. While 110 schools were initially targeted for failing to enforce English-language proficiency requirements, an additional 160 institutions were closed due to the use of unlicensed instructors or inadequate facilities, such as a lack of training classrooms. This enforcement push follows reports linking drivers certified by these institutions to 239 commercial vehicle fatalities. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin noted that a lack of English proficiency and understanding of road rules among some unlicensed drivers poses a “significant danger to public safety.” The administration is also initiating a nationwide audit of state oversight efforts and third-party CDL skills testers. Recent closures include the Fifth Wheel Commercial Driving School in Kent, Washington, along with several institutions in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Oregon, and Idaho, as well as 23 online schools with no physical location. This initiative remains part of a broader strategy involving the Department of Justice and the ‘Joint Task Force Crossroads of America’ to combat the illegal issuance of licenses to unqualified individuals through fraudulent means. Federal officials report that in the last 18 months, the USDOT has removed over 28,000 drivers for failing English proficiency, forced the cancellation of over 30,000 illegally issued licenses, and purged more than 8,000 unqualified schools from the FMCSA registry. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated that the ‘Joint Task Force Crossroads of America’—a collaboration involving the FBI, DEA, ICE, and state attorneys’ offices—may also target trucking companies that hire underqualified drivers. ## Claims - The 110 shut down schools account for approximately 5,000 violations of English language proficiency requirements. (corroborated by 25 sources) - An additional 160 driving schools have been shut down for lacking proper facilities or using unlicensed instructors. (corroborated by 24 sources) - The Department of Transportation is executing an emergency shutdown of 110 driving schools. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) executed emergency removal orders against the non-compliant schools. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that illegal immigrants holding commercial driver's licenses pose a danger. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The Trump administration has removed more than 28,000 commercial drivers from roads for lacking English proficiency. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Federal investigators found that 40% of 400 inspected driver training schools failed to meet regulatory requirements. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The crackdown is linked to 239 commercial vehicle fatalities. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Department of Transportation is launching a nationwide audit of third-party commercial driver's license skills testers. (corroborated by 3 sources) - At least 95 commercial truck drivers were arrested during a Border Patrol operation in Arizona. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: FMCSA announces crackdown on driver training schools and illegal trucking The FMCSA is cracking down on driver training schools and launching a multi-agency task force to prosecute illegal trucking practices and address driver qualification issues. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fmcsa-announces-crackdown-on-driver-training-schools-and-illegal-trucking ### 2026-09-02: U.S. DOT shuts down 110 CDL training schools The U.S. Department of Transportation has shut down 110 CDL training schools following allegations of illegal licensing and improper training practices across several states. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-dot-shuts-down-110-cdl-training-schools ### 2026-08-31: U.S. shuts down 270 driving schools in CDL fraud crackdown The U.S. government is shutting down 270 commercial driving schools following a crackdown on fraud, English proficiency violations, and unlicensed instruction linked to highway safety concerns. 45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sean-duffy-announces-upcoming-unprecedented-federal-fraud-crackdown --- Cite as: U.S. expands crackdown on CDL training school fraud. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-federal-crackdown-on-cdl-training-schools