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DOT, DHS target 75 CDL training schools in fraud probe
FMCSA and Homeland Security Investigations will examine certifications, records and training practices
Key Takeaways:
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced July 16 a joint DOT and DHS investigation into 75 CDL training schools suspected of fraud.
- Officials said fraud includes improper certifications and falsified records, following prior actions that removed thousands of drivers, licenses and training providers from FMCSA oversight.
- DHS Homeland Security Investigations will partner with FMCSA to target CDL fraud, including non-domiciled licenses, as part of expanded interagency enforcement efforts.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a joint operation with the Department of Homeland Security to investigate 75 truck driver training schools suspected of fraud.
Now DHS will assist the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This is the second interagency enforcement partnership; recently, DOT partnered with DHS Border Patrol agents to enforce federal cabotage laws.
“We’ve knocked over 24,000 drivers off our roads for failing to speak English, forced states to cancel over 28,000 licenses illegally issued to foreign drivers, and purged over 9,500 unqualified training schools from our FMCSA registry,” Duffy said.
The FMCSA, Duffy said, has found 75 commercial driver license training schools suspected of such fraud as issuing improper driver certifications, falsifying training records and failing to adequately train drivers applying for CDLs.
“DHS will be a force multiplier of our efforts to clean up America’s roads. President Trump is using every lever at his disposal to ensure the safety of American families,” Duffy said July 16.
RELATED: What to know about DOT's crackdown on CDL mills
DHS issued an announcement the same day stating its Homeland Security Investigations will work with FMCSA to identify and address fraud involving the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs to undocumented drivers.
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(Department of Homeland Security)
In February, DOT said more than 550 CDL schools had violated federal safety requirements and were issued notices of proposed removal from the FMCSA’s national training provider registry.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the new partnership with DOT “a whole-of-government approach” to improve national roadway safety.
Mullin said DHS law enforcement investigators are now working with DOT to eliminate CDL fraud, strengthen the integrity of the CDL system and investigate CDL training schools throughout the country.
He added, “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.”
