Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a bill to increase penalties for unlicensed commercial driver’s license (CDL) training schools.
On July 20, 2026, Sen. Judy Ward announced that her Senate Bill 1294 was signed into law.
Ward says that new law will “crack down on unlicensed commercial driver training schools, commonly referred to as ‘CDL mills.’”
The bill increases the maximum civil penalty for operating a CDL school without authorization from the Pennsylvania Department of Education from the current $2,500 to $25,000.
The law does not apply to private employers who provide their own CDL training to employees at no cost.
Ward said that the bill was passed in the wake of a Senate Transportation Committee hearing that raised concerns about “unauthorized schools operating outside Pennsylvania’s regulatory framework and federal entry-level driver training requirements.”
“Commercial driver’s license holders operate the largest vehicles on our roadways, and the training they receive has a direct impact on public safety,” Ward said. “By holding unlicensed training providers accountable, we are protecting motorists and ensuring the next generation of commercial drivers receives the essential skill set and respects the CDL credential.”
“The commonwealth’s trucking industry depends on highly skilled and well-trained driving professionals to keep our economy moving,” Ward said. “A CDL credential should represent quality training, demonstrated competency and a commitment to safety. This new law reinforces those standards to keep Pennsylvania’s families safe when traveling on our roadways.”
CDL training providers have come under increased scrutiny from both state and federal authorities this year.
Last week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it would join federal transportation authorities in investigating dozens of truck driver training schools for fraudulent activity.
In February 2026, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) investigators took part in a nationwide operation which uncovered “more than 550 sham CDL training schools found in violation of the FMCSA’s standards of safety.”
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