The Real Reason 110 Truck Driving Schools Shut Down Overnight
The Trump administration ordered 110 commercial truck-driving schools to close on Monday. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration executed these emergency removal orders that same day. Washington Examiner reported the move targets schools that trained drivers later cited for English-language violations.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated these schools trained more than 5,000 drivers who failed English checks during roadside inspections. Officials connected this lack of language skills directly to deadly crashes on American roads. Washington Times confirmed the shutdown affects big-rig schools churning out drivers who cannot speak English.
Derek Barrs, the FMCSA Administrator, said the schools are removed from the federal Training Provider Registry. Federally recognized entry-level driver training will no longer be allowed for them to provide. According to Washington Examiner, this action stops them from issuing credentials for the nation's highways.
You might think language rules are new, but the law has stood for a long time. Duffy clarified this point directly to reporters regarding the recent crackdown. "I didn't create that rule. President Trump didn't create that rule. That rule has been in place for decades," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
He emphasized the core requirement for safety on our nation's interstates. "You have to speak English to operate a commercial motor vehicle," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Washington Examiner noted this rule ensures drivers can understand commands and safety instructions from police.
Officials highlighted specific tragedies linked to these training failures. According to reports, 36 drivers certified by the Platinum Plus Truck Driving School in California were later cited for language violations. One trainee from that school killed a person in Oklahoma. Washington Examiner reported this fatal crash as a direct result of the training gap.
Another case involved the ASC Technical Institute in Texas. Barrs stated this school certified 58 drivers cited for language violations. One of these drivers ran a stop sign, resulting in a fatality when a man was killed. According to Washington Examiner, officials label these individuals dangerous due to failures by the previous administration.
Markwayne Mullin, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, pointed to the root cause of the problem. He stated the issue stems from liberal "sanctuary" states passing off commercial driver's licenses to unqualified people. Washington Examiner reported Mullin's view that these states bypass federal standards.
The human toll of these failures is already counted in lives lost. Barrs noted that the previous administration allowed these dangerous gaps to widen. "These individuals are dangerous because of the failure from the previous administration, from the Biden administration," Barrs said. Washington Examiner cited his warning about the safety risks.
One victim's story shows the permanent damage caused by these crashes. Officials highlighted Delilah Coleman, who was just 5 when a commercial driver struck her family's vehicle. She suffered a severe brain injury and spent three weeks in a coma. Washington Examiner reported her case as a stark example of the danger.
Barrs stated the consequences of these crashes are severe and lasting. "They killed hundreds of people and, unfortunately, injured thousands," Barrs said. Washington Examiner quoted his assessment of the total harm caused by unqualified drivers.