Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky have sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, calling for an investigation into the rise of Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) mills. These CDL mills are described as substandard training programs that quickly issue credentials to drivers who may not be adequately prepared for the demands of commercial trucking.
According to Cotton and Barr, these operations take advantage of loopholes in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations. The lawmakers argue that such programs prioritize speed over safety, providing rushed courses with minimal hands-on experience. This, they say, results in new drivers lacking real-world proficiency necessary for safe interstate trucking.
The letter states: “As the sponsors of the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act, we have been at the forefront of efforts to strengthen our commercial licensing system. While Congress works to pass the legislation, we strongly encourage DOT to use its rulemaking authority to make further changes like mandatory training hours behind the wheel for CDLs. We applaud the steps you have taken to ensure the safety of Arkansans and Kentuckians.”
Cotton and Barr urge the Department of Transportation (DOT) to closely examine whether CDL training programs are meeting ELDT standards, especially regarding behind-the-wheel instruction, pre-trip inspections, and on-road proficiency. They express concern that current practices could undermine public trust in road safety and in the process by which commercial drivers are credentialed.
They conclude their letter by stating their willingness to work with Secretary Duffy on this issue: “We look forward to working with you on this matter.”
