The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) says it will crack down on so-called "CDL mills"—trucking schools that put unqualified drivers on the road. The announcement came during a press conference on October 30, 2025.

In focus: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said these schools are certifying people to drive big rigs who can't speak English or handle trucks safely. "We are going to take a hard look at those individuals, and there will be serious consequences for them," Duffy said.

• USDOT will also look at companies hiring drivers without the proper skills.
• The action follows requests from lawmakers who want a federal investigation into schools that barely train students before sending them to operate commercial trucks.

Industry response: The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association praised this move, saying watered-down training has hurt the industry's standards and safety. "Trucking is a skilled profession, not cheap labor," said OOIDA President Todd Spencer.

At this time, federal officials have not announced which schools or companies might be targeted first or what the penalties could be.