FMCSA Defends Removal of Three CDL Training Providers

FMCSA's Director of the Office of Safety Programs filed responses in three dockets defending emergency removals of ELDT Direct, LLC, Penn CDL LLC and CDL Training of Tampa LLC from the Entry-Level Driver Training Provider Registry. All three removals took effect August 31, 2026, after an agency audit matched roadside English Language Proficiency (ELP) citations to drivers each school had certified as having completed training.

FMCSA said the audit found 60 ELDT Direct trainees, 87 Penn CDL trainees and 16 CDL Training of Tampa trainees were cited for ELP violations after certification. The agency called this a material deficiency and willful disregard of 49 CFR part 380, justifying immediate removal without a corrective-action period.

Each school petitioned for administrative review, arguing FMCSA relied on unsupported inference from roadside data and that its curricula met regulatory requirements. In its October 13 filings, the Office Director argued the agency's reliance on Driver Vehicle Examination Report data was reasonable and that the petitions should be denied.

What's next

• A final decision on all three petitions is pending; FMCSA has not set a ruling date.
• Watch docket numbers FMCSA-2026-3242, -3238 and -3240 for the decision.
• More providers removed in the same August audit may file similar appeals.

All sources

• Other: In the Matter of ELDT Direct, LLC - Director of the Office of Safety Programs Response to Order on Petitioner's Petition for Administrative Review of Emergency Removal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Entry Level Driver Training Provider Registry — Regulations.gov (FMCSA), 2026-10-13
• Other: In the Matter of Penn CDL LLC - Director of the Office of Safety Programs Response to Order on Petitioner's Petition for Administrative Review of Emergency Removal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Entry Level Driver Training Provider Registry — Regulations.gov (FMCSA), 2026-10-13
• Other: In the Matter of CDL Training of Tampa LLC - Director of the Office of Safety Programs Response to Order on Petitioner's Petition for Administrative Review of Emergency Removal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Entry Level Driver Training Provider Registry — Regulations.gov (FMCSA), 2026-10-13