Florida Cracks Down on CDL Training Providers Following Federal Enforcement Action

September 8, 2026

FDOE Press Office
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Florida Cracks Down on CDL Training Providers Following Federal Enforcement Action

State takes immediate action against 10 Florida schools to protect students and safeguard Florida roadways

Tallahassee, Fla. - The Florida Department of Education today announced immediate action against 10 Florida commercial driver training schools affected by a nationwide federal crackdown on CDL training providers.

On August 31, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the emergency removal of more than 110 Entry-Level Driver Training providers from its Training Provider Registry, including 10 in Florida. The federal action followed a review of training providers associated with drivers cited for failing federal English-language proficiency requirements.

Florida is taking immediate action to ensure affected schools cannot continue recruiting students or collecting tuition for training they cannot currently certify.

"Commercial drivers operate some of the largest vehicles on our highways, and the institutions entrusted with training have a responsibility to meet every standard required to put qualified drivers behind the wheel. When those standards are not met, Florida will act decisively," said Commissioner of Education, Henry Mack.

Through the Commission for Independent Education, Florida has ordered affected licensed programs to immediately cease advertising, recruitment, enrollment and tuition collection from new students while their federal removal remains in effect. The state is also requiring affected institutions to identify impacted students, provide refunds where required and report their corrective actions and communications with federal regulators.

"Florida is cracking down because students should never be asked to pay for training that cannot deliver the credential they were promised," said Tiffany Hurst, Executive Director of the Commission for Independent Education. "If a provider loses the federal authorization necessary to certify its students, it should not be business as usual. We will protect students, hold providers accountable and ensure Florida's workforce credentials continue to mean something."

The action builds on federal efforts to strengthen English-language proficiency requirements throughout the commercial-driving industry. The U.S. Department of Transportation first issued guidance reinforcing English-language requirements for commercial drivers, followed by U.S. Department of Labor guidance directing workforce and education partners to ensure CDL training participants are prepared to meet all licensing requirements, including federal language standards.

Affected providers may pursue federal review and reinstatement. Florida's restrictions may be lifted once the applicable provider is restored to the federal Training Provider Registry. Florida will continue monitoring affected institutions to protect students, preserve the integrity of the state's workforce education system and help ensure qualified commercial drivers are prepared to safely operate on Florida roadways.

For more information, please contact [email protected].