CVTA and NAPFTDS Urge Stronger Enforcement of ELDT Rule to Protect Students and the Public

Today, the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) and the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS) submitted a joint letter to Secretary Duffy of the U.S. Department of Transportation, underscoring the urgent need for stronger enforcement of the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) rule.

As the two leading organizations representing professional commercial driver training programs across the country, CVTA and NAPFTDS reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that new commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers receive top-tier instruction that meets federal standards. This move comes alongside recent ELDT concerns from the American Trucking Associations and others.

While applauding the Department’s work in developing the ELDT framework, the associations called for increased accountability and oversight of the Training Provider Registry (TPR) to prevent fraudulent and substandard training.

The ELDT rule was created to ensure that only compliant and qualified training providers can educate new drivers, with the ultimate goal of reducing crashes and improving highway safety. However, CVTA and NAPFTDS raised concerns about the gap between regulatory intent and enforcement reality. According to FMCSA’s own data, only four providers have been removed from the TPR since 2023, and just twenty-five have received Notices of Proposed Removal—none of which have progressed to full removal. This lack of follow-through undermines the integrity of the entire driver training system and frustrates state agencies who report bad actors but see little response.

The associations emphasized that without decisive action, non-compliant schools will continue to endanger both students and the motoring public. These schools often leave students unprepared for CDL exams, unable to secure employment, and saddled with the costs of inadequate training. CVTA and NAPFTDS urged the Department of Transportation and FMCSA to take bold steps to enhance enforcement of the TPR, protect aspiring drivers from exploitation, and ensure that only high-quality training providers are shaping the next generation of commercial drivers. Both associations stand ready to support USDOT in these efforts to uphold safety and excellence in the trucking industry.