A noticeable loophole allows illegal immigrants to gain access to large trucks, highlighting ongoing issues within the trucking sector, including insufficient training, low wages, and a lack of federal oversight, as revealed by recent findings.
In California, laws prevent private trucking programs from charging less than $2,500 in tuition, creating a situation where around 200 schools can issue commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) with little regulatory oversight.
Lewi Pugh, from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), indicated that the weak enforcement of regulations is a symptom of the broader federal trucking oversight failure. He contended that the basic Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements are poorly enforced, resulting in inadequately prepared drivers—both foreign and domestic—posing risks on highways.
“When we reviewed the CDL history, it seems there was an intention to standardize everything back in the early ’90s,” Pugh noted. “The idea was that everyone would have the same licensing and training. But, in reality, states just passed licensing rules without ensuring sufficient training.”
He mentioned the oddity of California requiring $2,500 for tuition while evading regulatory measures. He feels federal regulations should be tightened, especially since many drivers crossing state lines and heading into other countries need more comprehensive guidelines. “The federal Entry Level Driver Training program was introduced last year, but it still feels inadequate,” he added.
Pugh further explained the ELDT program, stating applicants can fill out registration and find a registered trainer with minimal qualifications, often without required meaningful driving instruction. “I could easily train someone with no truck experience by just filling out some basic paperwork,” he remarked. “Passing a simple cone maneuver test is what qualifies you as a truck driver—that’s how simple things have become.”
California’s approach to issuing non-domicile CDLs has attracted scrutiny from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which found numerous policy errors within the state’s licensing framework.
An audit revealed that licenses were given to ineligible individuals, reflecting serious public safety concerns as some undocumented drivers operate large commercial vehicles, leading to accidents on the roads.
Pugh indicates that the issue of licensing is part of a larger failure that began over many years. He noted how high turnover rates and stagnant pay are pushing qualified American drivers out of the field. “We’re not training people properly—we’re not setting them up for successful careers,” he stated. “Drivers are treated like disposable assets, and the narrative of a driver shortage is misleading. We have high turnover rates, but that’s not exactly an indication of a shortage.”
Pugh pointed out that industries like airlines often deal with similar turnover but with different intentions. In trucking, drivers are incentivized to work longer hours for pay by the mile, ultimately leading to an overworked, underpaid workforce and potentially dangerous situations on the road.
“Can you imagine any other business allowing over 90% of its employees to leave annually? But in trucking, that’s their model because profit takes precedence over people and safety,” he noted. “That’s where accidents stem from.”
Wage stagnation, especially against inflation, is pushing many away from considering trucking as a viable career choice today, according to Pugh. He believes this cycle of low pay encourages employers to seek less experienced drivers through lax licensing processes.
While some remedial actions have been announced, like the former administration’s restrictions on non-resident CDLs, deeper reforms are still necessary, according to industry advocates.
OOIDA is calling for enhanced federal regulations regarding driver training and stricter oversight of training organizations. They argue that the recent actions against non-domiciled CDLs represent progress toward safer highways. However, whether these measures will adequately resolve persistent turnover, wage stagnation, and inconsistent training remains uncertain.
