The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is again pushing for a nationwide "enforcement surge" to weed out underqualified truck drivers. This call came after a deadly crash in Florida, where the trucker reportedly didn't meet key safety requirements.
The push: ATA leaders say the real issue isn't a lack of licensed drivers—it’s about whether drivers are truly qualified. They stress drivers must speak English, read road signs, respect laws, and avoid drugs and alcohol.
- ATA says too many CDLs are handed out by what they call "CDL mills" that skip proper training just for a fee.
- They're critical of counting all CDL holders as "available drivers," pointing out this inflates the driver pool with people who shouldn't be behind the wheel.
What’s new: Federal officials recently warned states they must enforce English language requirements for commercial drivers. There’s also a pause on new work visas for truck drivers while audits are underway.
"If you can’t read road signs in America, you can’t drive a truck in America. Period," ATA said in a statement.
Reality check: The ATA insists the vast majority of American truckers—over 3.5 million—do their jobs the right way, moving the country’s freight with skill and responsibility. The small group of unqualified drivers not only hurts the reputation of the industry, but also puts others at risk, according to American Trucking Associations.
The group wants to see every state on the same page, enforcing federal standards and shutting down rogue CDL training operations immediately.