DHS, DOT partner to investigate 75 CDL training schools suspected of fraud

DOT will engage Homeland Security Investigations in cases involving the schools. HSI will work alongside FMCSA throughout the effort. The agencies announced the partnership Thursday.

Officials outline enforcement efforts

“Too many American lives have been lost in completely avoidable accidents because illegal aliens have been granted commercial driver’s licenses to drive trucks and 18-wheelers on America’s roadways,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said. “DHS law enforcement is partnering with the Department of Transportation to eliminate CDL fraud, strengthen the integrity of the CDL system, and investigate commercial driver’s license schools throughout the country. This is a whole-of-government approach, to keep America’s roads safe.”

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said DOT removed more than 24,000 drivers after they failed English-language requirements. He also said states canceled more than 28,000 commercial driver’s licenses illegally issued to foreign drivers and removed more than 9,500 unqualified training schools from FMCSA’s registry. “DHS will be a force multiplier of our efforts to clean up America’s roads,” Duffy said.

DHS said the partnership is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to root out fraud from American trucking. The announcement said the effort will restore integrity to the industry.

OOIDA calls for stronger oversight

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association called the investigation consistent with concerns it has raised for years. OOIDA Director of Legislative Affairs Bryce Mongeon told FreightWaves the Entry-Level Driver Training system lacks meaningful oversight and enforcement. “Unfortunately, today’s investigation doesn’t come as a surprise,” Mongeon said. “For years, OOIDA has warned Congress and FMCSA that the Entry-Level Driver Training system has lacked meaningful oversight and enforcement.”

Mongeon said OOIDA supports regular audits and inspections instead of self-certification. He also called for faster removal of fraudulent schools from FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry. OOIDA also supports a minimum of 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Mongeon said those measures would strengthen oversight of entry-level driver training.

FreightWaves requested additional information from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. FreightWaves also requested comment from the American Trucking Associations and the Commercial Vehicle Training Association. This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.

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