A new federal investigation into commercial driver schools follows an Alabama trucking crackdown aimed at keeping improperly qualified operators off the state’s highways.
The Department of Homeland Security and Department of Transportation announced Thursday that they are investigating approximately 75 entry-level commercial driver’s license schools suspected of fraudulent activity.
Federal officials said the suspected violations include issuing improper driver certifications, falsifying training records and failing to provide required instruction to CDL applicants.
Homeland Security Investigations will work with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on the probe.
The agencies have not publicly identified the schools, and there is currently no public indication that an Alabama training provider is among those under investigation.
The federal action comes four months after Alabama enacted new requirements for commercial drivers operating in the state.
Governor Kay Ivey signed the Highway Safety and Fairness Act in March after the measure passed the Alabama Legislature.
The law requires commercial drivers using foreign-issued licenses in Alabama to possess valid authorization to work in the United States. It also requires CDL holders to demonstrate English-language proficiency and makes presenting a fraudulent foreign commercial license during a law-enforcement encounter a criminal offense.
Law enforcement may impound a commercial vehicle when a driver violates portions of the law.
The measure takes effect October 1.
Alabama’s law targets drivers and licenses rather than the training schools at the center of the new federal investigation. Both actions, however, address qualifications and documentation within the commercial trucking industry.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency had already increased enforcement before the law passed.
According to the governor’s office, ALEA’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit issued 548 English-language proficiency violations to commercial drivers between January 1, 2025, and the March bill signing.
The unit also referred more than 555 people to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for status verification beginning in October 2025. ICE detained 221 of those individuals based on their immigration status.
The Trump administration has also tightened federal rules governing non-domiciled commercial licenses and increased enforcement of longstanding English-language requirements.
Federal officials have not announced when the investigation into the 75 schools will conclude or what penalties could result.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
