Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced an emergency shutdown of 110 commercial driver’s license training schools across the country. These schools are linked to more than 5,000 drivers who failed required English proficiency tests. Duffy made the announcement during a press conference in Detroit on August 31, 2026, held at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was joined by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and federal prosecutors. The action targets what officials describe as non-compliant training operations that have placed unqualified drivers on the nation’s roads.

The shutdown forms part of a multi-year effort by the Department of Transportation working with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. The broader campaign aims to close thousands of so-called “CDL mills” that fail to meet federal standards. A central focus is strict enforcement of English language requirements for commercial drivers, a longstanding federal rule intended to ensure clear communication on the road. Officials say the crackdown also responds to multiple fatal truck crashes involving operators who lacked proper qualifications. The coordinated interagency approach signals a sustained push rather than a one-time enforcement action.

At the Detroit event, Duffy emphasized the safety risks created by inadequate training and language barriers. He pointed to the volume of drivers associated with the 110 schools who could not pass basic English proficiency assessments. The presence of Homeland Security Secretary Mullin and federal prosecutors underscored the fraud and compliance dimensions of the investigation. Prosecutors are examining patterns of misconduct within the trucking training industry that go beyond simple paperwork failures. The press conference framed the school closures as both a regulatory and a public safety measure.

Federal English proficiency standards exist because commercial drivers must understand road signs, communicate with law enforcement, and respond effectively in emergencies. When training schools bypass or ignore these requirements, the result can be drivers who are unprepared for real-world conditions. The more than 5,000 failed test cases tied to the closed schools illustrate the scale of the problem in the eyes of regulators. By acting on an emergency basis, the Department of Transportation seeks to remove these institutions from operation quickly. Further investigations may lead to additional closures as the multi-year effort continues.

The trucking industry relies heavily on a steady supply of qualified commercial drivers, making the integrity of training programs a critical concern. Officials argue that allowing non-compliant schools to operate undermines safety and creates unfair competition for legitimate training providers. The involvement of multiple federal agencies reflects the complexity of the issue, which spans transportation regulation, immigration-related oversight, and criminal enforcement. Duffy’s announcement places immediate pressure on the remaining network of questionable CDL training operations. Industry stakeholders are now watching to see how widely the crackdown expands.

As the emergency closures take effect, attention will turn to the fate of students currently enrolled and the drivers already on the road who trained at the affected schools. Regulators face the dual task of removing unsafe operators while maintaining necessary freight capacity. The Detroit press conference served as a public declaration that federal authorities are prepared to use strong measures against institutions that fail basic standards. For now, the shutdown of the 110 schools stands as the most visible step in a longer campaign to raise the quality and accountability of commercial driver training nationwide.