Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces Emergency Shutdown of 110 Driving Schools Over English Proficiency Rule

The DOT's action is not alone, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also launched a synchronized sweep of 200-plus driving schools in 23 states.

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced the emergency shutdown of 110 driving schools across the United States due to a rule requiring English proficiency for obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL). The Department of Transportation (DOT) made this decision after the schools had issued licenses to over 5,000 individuals who had failed English language proficiency (ELP) tests. In addition to this action, the DOT is initiating a nationwide audit of third-party commercial driver's license (CDL) skills testers and the states' oversight of these testers.

To obtain a CDL for operating large and heavy vehicles, drivers must demonstrate a higher level of knowledge, experience, skills, and physical abilities than those required for a non-commercial vehicle. President Trump signed an executive order in April 2025 mandating English proficiency for commercial truck drivers in the U.S. The same month, Duffy issued new guidance to rescind the Obama administration's removal of ELP requirements for commercial vehicle drivers.

Earlier in the month, Duffy stated that the FMCSA is working to codify the ELP enforcement guidelines into a new rule. The FMCSA published a notice of this rule in the Federal Register on August 10, opening it up to public comment. As part of its investigation into the English proficiency of commercial drivers, the FMCSA reviewed roadside inspection records of drivers cited for not meeting language standards and compared them with records in the Training Provider Registry. This led to the identification of training providers that repeatedly certified drivers who did not meet federal qualification standards.

The FMCSA will now remove more than 110 providers from the registry, mandating that they immediately cease all operations as training providers, including administering curricula, utilizing facilities for instruction, and conducting behind-the-wheel training. As a result of this investigation, the FMCSA is proposing to shut down an additional 160-plus driving schools accused of not complying with language requirement regulations.

Duffy emphasized that his department has spent the past year-and-a-half strengthening the rules of the road and removing dangerous foreign drivers from the American trucking industry. He expressed gratitude to President Trump for raising awareness of the issue and Vice President Vance for leading the charge to crack down on fraud nationwide. Duffy also noted that migrants without legal status who do not speak English "don't deserve to be in a big rig driving on American roads endangering American citizens."

Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, supported the DOT's crackdown, stating that it is "basic common sense" that anyone operating an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle should be properly trained, able to read critical road signs, follow emergency instructions, and communicate with law enforcement and first responders in English.

The DOT's action is not alone, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also launched a synchronized sweep of 200-plus driving schools in 23 states. This sweep is part of a DHS probe focusing on CDL fraud, unauthorized employment, identity document fraud, financial crime, and other matters. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said his department is "delivering on our mission to protect Americans" by removing drivers who are not proficient in English from the roads. Mullin added that the partnership between DHS and the DOT will help root out CDL fraud, ensuring that migrants without legal status are no longer able to obtain commercial licenses.