US shuts 110 trucking schools in fraud crackdown
US officials shut down 110 commercial driving schools and launched a task force to combat fraud in the trucking industry.
The US government has ordered the emergency shutdown of 110 commercial driver's license (CDL) schools as part of a broader crackdown on fraud within the trucking industry. The announcement was made on Monday in Detroit by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Detroit was chosen for the announcement due to its proximity to one of North America's busiest trade corridors, with millions of trucks crossing the Michigan-Ontario border annually. The officials spoke at a news conference held at the US attorney's office in the city.
Secretary Duffy stated that the action targets schools that license drivers who cannot speak or read English, as well as those lacking qualified instructors and proper facilities. He noted that the issue involves both individuals in the country illegally and those present lawfully but not receiving adequate training.
Officials said the 110 schools were linked to more than 5,000 drivers who failed English language proficiency tests. Secretary Mullin expressed concern about the safety implications, saying that people are being allowed to operate large trucks without proper qualifications.
The announcement also included the formation of the Joint Task Force Crossroads of America, a multi-state partnership aimed at securing highways and strengthening border security. The task force will coordinate federal, state, and local agencies to target criminal networks and reduce highway fatalities.
Mullin indicated that authorities are pursuing leads involving fraud, waste, and abuse in the industry, with a focus on employees suspected of accepting payments to help individuals bypass CDL requirements. Duffy warned that companies hiring unqualified drivers would also face scrutiny from the task force.