U.S. trucking crackdown intensifies as drivers face detentions, license checks, and school removals

Federal truck enforcement expands

The Trump administration intensified federal enforcement of commercial truck driver licensing, training, English language rules, and immigration status across the United States in 2026. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security are also seeking nationwide licensing data to identify drivers who may hold improper certifications.

Federal officials say the campaign targets unsafe or unqualified commercial drivers and problems across the licensing system. Enforcement now reaches training schools, state testing programs, commercial drivers, trucking companies, and immigration documentation used in the licensing process.

Nearly 300 schools face federal action

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the emergency removal of more than 110 commercial driver training providers from FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry. FMCSA also issued more than 160 notices of proposed removal after investigations found additional training and compliance problems.

FMCSA linked the emergency removals to more than 5,000 drivers who were later cited for English-language-proficiency violations. Administrator Derek Barrs said each removed provider had certified at least 10 drivers who were later cited for English-language violations during roadside inspections.

FMCSA traced training failures

FMCSA used roadside violations and direct investigations to identify driver training providers with repeated compliance problems. In July 2026, the agency conducted nearly 400 investigations and found that some locations lacked enough space for truck maneuvers, licensed instructors, or records of driver assessments.

Federal investigators also examined whether training locations could perform basic commercial vehicle exercises required for proper instruction. On August 31, FMCSA worked with Homeland Security Investigations on a coordinated sweep of more than 200 driving schools across 23 states, with results still pending.

English rules drive school removals

English-language compliance played a central role in FMCSA’s latest removal of commercial driver training providers. Barrs said Platinum Plus Truck Driving School in California certified 36 drivers who were later cited for English-language-proficiency violations, while ASC Technical Institute in Texas certified 58 drivers who were later cited for the same issue.

Federal officials said more than 28,000 drivers had been placed out of service for English-language proficiency violations since June 2025. FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry listed 9,963 training locations removed as of Sept. 4, 2026.

CDL skills tests face nationwide checks

FMCSA is conducting nationwide checks of CDL skills testers authorized by states and of state oversight of those testers. Barrs said federal rules require commercial driver skills tests to be conducted in English, and officials are examining whether states and authorized testers meet that requirement.

States found out of compliance receive a formal notice and have 30 days to develop a corrective action plan agreed to by both sides. Continued substantial noncompliance can trigger withholding of up to 4% of federal highway funds in the first year and 8% in later years.

New task force targets trucking violations

Federal officials created Joint Task Force Crossroads for America to coordinate enforcement and prosecution of illegal trucking practices across multiple jurisdictions. Its stated purpose is to reduce criminal activity, deter illegal trucking practices, and promote consistent enforcement among federal, state, and local authorities.

The task force includes U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, along with federal, state, and local enforcement partners. Barrs said FMCSA cannot prosecute criminal cases itself, making cooperation with law enforcement and federal prosecutors central to the task force.

Carriers also face closer scrutiny

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned trucking companies that federal officials will also examine carriers that hire drivers who fail to meet English-language requirements. He said companies should not hire drivers who cannot speak or read English, and said employers could become subject to the new task force.

The enforcement effort now extends beyond individual drivers and training schools to companies responsible for putting drivers behind the wheel. Federal officials are examining hiring, licensing, testing, training, and documentation across the commercial driver system.

Operation removed 766 from service

Operation Highway Shield placed 766 commercial drivers and vehicles out of service during enforcement conducted from July 28 through July 30, 2026. The operation covered Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio, and also resulted in arrests and detentions for separate alleged violations.

DOT and DHS said 51 people identified by the government as unlawfully present were detained during the operation. Federal officials also recorded 36 English-language-proficiency violations and said 21 detained drivers held non-domiciled CDLs issued by California and New York.

Non-domiciled CDL rules tightened

New federal rules that took effect on March 16, 2026, tightened eligibility for non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses. Foreign-domiciled applicants generally must have lawful status in 1 of 3 eligible nonimmigrant employment categories: H-2A temporary agricultural workers, H-2B temporary nonagricultural workers, or E-2 treaty investors.

The rules limit a non-domiciled CDL to the applicant’s authorized admission period or 1 year, whichever ends first. Immigration status, admission documents, domicile, and other federal eligibility requirements determine whether an applicant can receive a non-domiciled commercial license.

California halted some CDL actions

California has paused the issuance, reissuance, or renewal of limited-term legal-presence commercial driver’s licenses classified as non-domiciled CDLs until further notice. The California DMV says it currently cannot issue those CDLs or commercial learner’s permits because of an FMCSA directive.

The DMV has also canceled licenses it determined were issued with expiration dates that fell after the expiration of the driver’s legal presence documents. Eligible former holders can apply for a regular Class C license, while California’s issuance of non-domiciled commercial licenses remains paused.

Over 28,000 drivers failed English checks

Federal officials said more than 28,000 commercial drivers had been placed out of service for English-language proficiency violations since June 2025. The enforcement push followed President Donald Trump’s April 28, 2025, executive order directing stronger enforcement of the existing federal English requirement for commercial drivers.

On Aug. 7, 2026, Duffy said FMCSA was moving to codify its English-language-proficiency enforcement guidelines in federal regulations. Federal rules require commercial drivers to read and speak English well enough to understand traffic signs, respond to official inquiries, and communicate with the public.

States challenge federal data demand

The Transportation Department is seeking access to nationwide commercial driver records as part of its enforcement efforts involving licensing and immigration compliance. A coalition of 21 states and the District of Columbia challenged the demand, which concerns records in a system covering about 17 million commercial drivers.

On Aug. 20, 2026, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the administration from obtaining the records for now. The case remains open, with federal officials defending the data request while the states argue the bulk transfer violates privacy protections and other federal laws.

Trump proposes replacing undocumented truck drivers with veterans, and examines a separate workforce plan tied to the same crackdown on commercial driver eligibility.

Crackdown is tightening truck capacity

Federal highway enforcement and licensing actions have removed hundreds of drivers and commercial vehicles from service during recent operations. The enforcement push could add pressure to trucking capacity while the freight market continues to recover from a years-long slump.

The August Logistics Managers’ Index showed transportation capacity still contracting at 40.0, while its Transportation Prices Index rose 3.1 points to 90.0. The price index reached 90.0 or higher for the fourth time in 5 months, showing continued strong growth in transportation prices.

How new driving laws are making road safety a bigger priority shows how stricter rules and enforcement are being used to reduce risks on public roads.

Federal trucking enforcement is tightening CDL rules and carrier oversight. Watch how the changes affect truck capacity and freight costs.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.