U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) recently sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy urging an investigation into the growing number of Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) mills.
Mills are substandard training programs that offer quick credentials and produce minimally trained drivers. The mills exploit loopholes in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations. Recent incidents and reports indicate the mills prioritize volume over proper safety and training requirements.
“These operations offer rushed, test-focused courses with little to no hands-on experience, leaving new entrants ill-equipped to handle the real world demands of interstate trucking,” the letter said. “This probe should rigorously assess whether CDL training programs are upholding ELDT standards, particularly with behind-the-wheel training, pre-trip inspections, and on-road proficiency.”
The congressmen praised the U.S. Department of Transportation for steps it already has taken to ensure the safety of motorists, but said they believe the department should take additional steps to restore trust in the credentialing process. The congressmen urged the department to use its rulemaking authority to mandate additional changes.
Cotton and Barr sponsored the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act that is under consideration in Congress. The bill would strengthen the commercial licensing system.