Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has opened an investigation into multiple trucking schools accused of endangering public safety by providing inadequate commercial driver training, including to students who may not meet required English proficiency standards.
As part of the probe, Paxton's office has issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to several companies, including EP Texas Trucking School, Trucker Certified LLC, Fast Track CDL LLC, CDLCALL.COM LLC, and Lindenwood Education System. The investigation will examine whether these entities violated state and federal laws governing commercial driver's license (CDL) training.
Federal regulations require CDL holders to "read and speak the English language sufficiently" to communicate with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete required documentation. Additionally, training providers are required to ensure that drivers are fully prepared to safely operate commercial vehicles.
Preliminary findings suggest some schools may be disregarding these standards.
According to the Attorney General's office, one school allegedly informed prospective students that English proficiency was not necessary and advertised its programs in Spanish.
"Putting non-English speakers behind the wheel of 18-wheelers in America can pose serious threats to public safety," said Paxton. "My office is thoroughly investigating these trucking schools, and I am taking this matter very seriously."
Investigators also identified concerns about falsely claimed certifications and accelerated training programs as short as 20 days, which is well below the typical industry standard of three to seven weeks.
Officials argue that such practices may violate the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and create significant risks on public roadways, particularly given the size and complexity of commercial trucks.
The schools under investigation operate in cities across Texas, including:
- Odessa
- El Paso
- Amarillo
- Garland
- San Antonio
- Arlington
Many of these schools supply drivers to major freight hubs such as Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
The investigation signals increased scrutiny on CDL training programs in Texas as state officials seek to ensure driver qualifications meet safety standards and protect motorists across the state.
