WASHINGTON, D.C.: More than 550 U.S. commercial driving schools that train truck and bus drivers must shut down after federal investigators found widespread safety failures, the Transportation Department said this week.

The move targets active schools that inspectors flagged for significant deficiencies during 1,426 site visits completed in December. Officials said 448 schools failed to meet basic safety standards, while another 109 removed themselves from the federal registry after learning inspections were scheduled.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said inspectors uncovered serious problems, including unqualified instructors, improper student testing, inadequate hazardous materials training, and the use of improper equipment.

"American families should have confidence that our school bus and truck drivers are following every letter of the law, and that starts with receiving proper training before getting behind the wheel," Duffy said.

The action follows the Trump administration's broader push to tighten oversight of commercial driver's licenses, particularly after a fatal crash in Florida in August involving a truck driver Duffy said was not authorized to be in the U.S. Subsequent fatal crashes, including one in Indiana earlier this month that killed four people, have intensified scrutiny.

Unlike last fall's decertification effort that targeted up to 7,500 schools — including many that were already defunct — this latest round focuses on schools currently operating.

Ninety-seven additional schools are under investigation for compliance issues.

Industry groups representing established training providers welcomed the crackdown. Five large schools affiliated with the national Commercial Vehicle Training Association were audited and passed inspections.

"You know, the good players have no problem with it. Absolutely none," said Jeffery Burkhardt, chair of the association and senior director of operations at Ancora, which offers CDL training through colleges and companies.

Observers have long noted that schools and trucking companies can effectively self-certify upon beginning operations, with limited oversight until audits occur.

It is unclear how many students were enrolled at the schools slated for closure or how many graduated with questionable credentials. A Transportation Department spokeswoman said officials may later review graduates. Burkhardt said state-administered skills tests should have screened out most unqualified drivers before licenses were issued.

Demand for truck drivers remains steady despite a 10 percent drop in shipments since 2022. The industry faces high turnover and ongoing challenges in recruiting qualified drivers.

Trucking industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations and the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, praised the effort to eliminate "sham schools." OOIDA President Todd Spencer said reliance on such schools "fueled a destructive churn" in the industry.

"Rather than fix retention problems and working conditions, some in the industry chose to cut corners and push undertrained drivers onto the road. That approach has undermined safety and devalued the entire trucking profession," Spencer said.

The department is also threatening to withhold federal funding from states with flawed licensing programs. Problems have been identified in 10 states, with California already facing a US$160 million funding loss.