The end of 2025 marked a turning point for the American commercial driver training system. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) officially announced large-scale measures against so-called CDL-mills — training centers that formally issue Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) but do not actually provide comprehensive training.
In the industry, this term refers to schools and training programs that:
- minimize actual behind-the-wheel practice hours,
- focus solely on passing the exam,
- exploit loopholes in the self-certification system introduced after the launch of Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules in 2022.
As noted by the industry publication FreightWaves, such practices are precisely what “undermine highway safety,” by releasing drivers unprepared to handle 40-ton vehicles in real conditions (FreightWaves).
In early 2025, the Department of Transportation publicly outlined a strict course for the first time. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated that the department “intends to shut down CDL schools and hold accountable those who prioritize the speed of issuing licenses over safety.”
FMCSA has already moved from words to actions:
- thousands of training providers have been excluded or are at risk of being excluded from the official registry,
- verification of training data authenticity is underway,
- special attention is given to sham courses and the lack of qualified instructors.
The DOT initiative coincided with growing pressure from lawmakers. A group of congressmen and senators demanded that the department strengthen oversight of driver training, pointing to a direct link between poor training and the rise in serious accidents.
According to the industry publication Land Line, lawmakers have directly called to “bring order to the CDL system, which allows unprepared drivers to legally take to public roads” (Land Line).
Industry experts agree that the problem is not abstract. Inadequate training leads to:
- errors in braking and maneuvering,
- incorrect assessment of road conditions,
- ignoring pre-trip inspection procedures.
As FreightWaves analysts note, “the driver shortage cannot serve as an excuse for lowering safety standards,” as the consequences of such compromises are measured in human lives.
In the short term, it is expected:
- further reduction in the number of training centers in the federal registry,
- increased liability for carriers hiring drivers with questionable training.
In the longer term, changes in federal legislation are possible, including mandatory minimum practice hours and expanded FMCSA authority over states.
For the freight transportation industry, this means one thing: the era of formal training is coming to an end, and the quality of driver training is once again becoming a key factor in safety and trust.