CDL Training Crackdown: How to Hire Safer Drivers
By iAgency
Every driver you hire carries your name, your DOT number and your insurance policy down the road. That is why a cleanup of the CDL training system is good news for owner-operators and small fleets. At a trucking industry summit in late October, FMCSA's chief safety officer said the agency has removed more than 10,000 providers from its Training Provider Registry since December 2025. Here is what that means for hiring, safety and insurance, and the simple checks that help you hire with confidence.
Key takeaways
Big cleanup. FMCSA says more than 10,000 training providers have been removed from the Training Provider Registry since December 2025.
Training must come from a listed provider. Most new CDL drivers must complete entry-level driver training (ELDT) with a provider on the registry.
Check before you hire. Look up the driver's training provider and confirm the training was recorded before you put them in a truck.
Better drivers help your record. Well-trained drivers support a cleaner safety record, which matters at insurance renewal.
What FMCSA announced
FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Steve Dowling spoke at the WEX OTR Summit in Jacksonville, Florida, as FreightWaves reported on October 28, 2026. He said more than 10,000 providers have been removed from the Training Provider Registry since December 2025. He also said FMCSA has removed more than 100 noncompliant electronic logging devices from its registered list and kept nearly 600 more from being added.
Dowling explained the goal plainly: to protect the industry, the agency has to "start at the driver level and how they're trained."
This builds on earlier action. In December 2025, DOT announced that nearly 3,000 providers had been removed and about 4,500 more placed on notice. DOT said removed providers had problems such as falsified training data, missing curriculum or instructor standards, and poor records. FreightWaves also noted a separate emergency action in August that targeted about 110 CDL schools.
ELDT in plain words
Entry-level driver training is the federal training standard for new commercial drivers. According to FMCSA, it applies to people who got their commercial learner's permit (CLP) on or after February 7, 2022, and who are:
Getting a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time
Upgrading from a Class B to a Class A CDL
Getting a hazmat (H), passenger (P) or school bus (S) endorsement for the first time
The training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. The rule is not retroactive, so drivers who already held their CDL or endorsement before that date do not need to retake it.
What a removal can mean for a driver
Under the federal rule (49 CFR 380.723), training given after a provider's removal date is not valid. In cases of fraud where trainees knowingly took part, FMCSA can also cancel training that was already completed. So the name of the school on a driver's application is worth a closer look, especially for drivers who earned their CDL recently.
Why it matters for your insurance
Underwriters look closely at who is behind the wheel. Driver experience, motor vehicle records and your fleet's crash and inspection history all shape how your account is viewed. A poorly trained driver is more likely to have violations and crashes, and those can follow your operation for years. If a bad entry does land on your record by mistake, our guide to DataQs reform explains how to challenge it.
Strong hiring will not guarantee a lower premium, and no one can promise that. But a clear, documented hiring process shows an underwriter that you manage risk. It also protects your commercial auto liability insurance, which is the coverage most exposed when a driver makes a serious mistake.
A simple hiring checklist for small fleets
Ask for the training details. Get the name of the training provider and the date the driver finished ELDT.
Check the registry. Search the provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov and note whether it is listed, on the proposed removal list or removed.
Run the standard checks. Pull the motor vehicle record, run the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query, confirm the medical certificate and request prior employer safety history.
Ride along first. A short road test with an experienced driver shows more than any certificate. Watch backing, mirror use, speed control and trip inspections.
Coach in the first 90 days. New drivers learn fast with steady feedback. Video tools help here, as we covered in AI Dash Cams for Small Fleets.
Talk to your agent before the driver starts. Most policies require new drivers to be reported and approved. Adding a driver late can create a coverage problem after a claim.
Need help building a written hiring and safety program? Our risk control services can help you set up driver files, onboarding steps and training records. When you are ready to review your coverage, start an online quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Training Provider Registry?
It is FMCSA's official list of providers allowed to deliver entry-level driver training. Drivers who need ELDT must train with a listed provider, and the provider reports completion to FMCSA.
Does every CDL driver need ELDT?
No. It applies to people who got a CLP on or after February 7, 2022, and who are seeking a first Class A or B CDL, a Class B to A upgrade, or a first H, P or S endorsement.
What if my driver trained at a school that was later removed?
Training given after the removal date is not valid. Training completed earlier can be cancelled in fraud cases where the trainee knowingly took part. If you are unsure, ask the driver for records and check the registry before dispatch.
Will careful hiring lower my insurance premium?
There is no guarantee. Premiums depend on many factors. But qualified drivers and good records help an underwriter see your operation as a lower risk.
About iAgency
iAgency is a commercial trucking insurance agency for owner-operators, small fleets and the partners who support them, including dispatchers, factoring companies and accountants. Call or text 469-501-1071, email coi@iagency.biz for certificates, or get an online quote.
Source: FreightWaves, FMCSA removes 10,000-plus driver training providers amid safety push (Oct. 28, 2026). Also: U.S. DOT, Training Provider Registry crackdown (Dec. 1, 2025), and FMCSA, ELDT Applicability.
Photo: Polina Kuzovkova on Unsplash.
This article is general information, not coverage or legal advice. Coverage depends on your policy terms.