US DOT Decertifies 550+ Driving Schools

The United States===United States Department of Transportation announced the closure of over 550 commercial driving schools across the U.S. due to safety issues, including unqualified instructors and inadequate student testing. This action is part of an ongoing effort to enhance safety in the trucking industry, following previous decertifications and concerns raised by fatal crashes. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the importance of proper training for truck and bus drivers. The department is also targeting states that issued commercial driver's licenses to unqualified immigrants, with United States===California already facing a $160 million federal funding cut. The United States===Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's auditing process is under scrutiny, as schools and trucking companies can self-certify, potentially delaying the identification of problematic operations. Despite the closures, the industry currently has more drivers than needed due to a 10% drop in shipments since 2022, though many trucking companies still seek well-qualified drivers.