The Trump administration’s intensified scrutiny of the trucking industry has put thousands of trucking schools at risk of closure.
A review by the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed that more than 40% of truck driving programs in the U.S. may not meet required standards.
Dave Laut, president of the Bakersfield Trucking Association, expressed surprise at the findings, stating, “I’m really surprised 44% of schools are bad. It’s not a small number. It’s a huge number.”
Nearly 3,000 commercial driver’s license training providers could be removed from the main registry for failing to comply with the administration’s standards. Additionally, another 4,000 schools have been warned of potential similar action.
Mike Rodriguez, owner of On the Move Training School in Bakersfield, noted that at least two schools in the Central Valley received notice, although his has not yet been audited.
“It’s been pretty hectic. But I guess it’s something that we needed,” Rodriguez said. He acknowledged that “old-school drivers” have long called for changes.
The crackdown, along with restrictions for immigrants obtaining commercial driver’s licenses, follows deadly crashes involving foreign-born truckers.
Bakersfield Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur, an advocate for truck drivers, emphasized the need for safety but criticized the measures.
“This discrimination, this revoking of licenses, this banning of truck driving schools is not happening because of safety standards alone,” said Kaur, whose father worked as a truck driver.
California Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains also criticized the actions, stating, “What we’re witnessing is a racist sleight of hand, using legitimate concerns about training standards as cover to target immigrants, particularly Sikh and Indian drivers wearing turbans.”
The following is the full statement Bains sent to Eyewitness News:
“There is good reason to crack down on the numerous illegitimate CDL training providers who have cut corners and compromised public safety. These bad actors have no place in our transportation system, and holding them accountable is absolutely necessary. However, we must be clear about what threatens road safety and what does not.
“Road safety demands proper training and oversight of CDL providers and drivers. That is not achieved by ignoring safety records and instead blindly revoking 17,000 licenses from hardworking drivers.
“What we’re witnessing is a racist sleight of hand, using legitimate concerns about training standards as cover to target immigrants, particularly Sikh and Indian drivers wearing turbans. Secretary Duffy’s rhetoric labeling these drivers as ‘dangerous foreign drivers’ is xenophobic fearmongering that has no basis in safety data, which is why the courts have blocked his new rules from going into effect.”
“We must ensure rigorous training standards are followed and crack down on fraudulent providers while also protecting the livelihoods of thousands of experienced drivers who have been operating safely for years.”