The FMCSA just sent a warning shot to the entire trucking industry.
Administrator Derek Barrs says enforcement is about to stay aggressive — and “bad actors” are the target. The agency is tightening CDL standards, pushing stronger identity and legal verification, enforcing English proficiency rules, and removing training providers that fail to meet federal requirements. More than 7,000 entry-level training providers have already been removed from the registry, and over 80 ELDs have been taken off the approved list in the past six months.
They’re also going after shell carriers, fraudulent registrations, and companies that shut down and reopen under new names to dodge oversight. On top of that, new hours-of-service pilot programs are being tested to see if flexibility can improve driver well-being without hurting safety.
Barrs made it clear: this isn’t about punishment — it’s about cleaning up the system. And if loopholes exist, FMCSA says they’re coming for them.
