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Texas launches probe into CDL schools over English requirements
Probe examines whether schools trained and certified drivers in violation of federal language and safety standards.
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 28, Apr 2026
- 13:38 EDT
- 31
Representative image / Pexels
Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas, launched a statewide investigation into trucking schools for certifying unqualified and non-English-speaking commercial drivers, his office said April 28.
Civil Investigative Demands have been issued to EP Texas Trucking School, Trucker Certified, Fast Track CDL, CDLCALL.COM, and Lindenwood Education System (Ancora) as part of the probe into potential violations of state and federal laws.
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The Office of the Attorney General said the investigation focuses on schools accused of endangering public safety by providing inadequate commercial driver training, including to non-English speakers.
Federal regulations require commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders to “read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals in English, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records.” Texas and federal law also require training providers to ensure drivers are adequately prepared to safely operate commercial motor vehicles.
According to the attorney general’s office, preliminary findings suggest some schools are disregarding these standards. Investigators said EP Texas Trucking School told prospective students that English proficiency is not required and advertises its services in Spanish. Several entities under investigation are also alleged to have falsely claimed certification status.
The office said some programs offer accelerated training timelines as short as approximately 20 days – well below the industry norm of three to seven weeks – indicating potentially insufficient instruction and evaluation.
“These actions, among others, are violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and pose a significant risk to public safety,” the statement said.
“Putting non-English speakers behind the wheel of 18-wheelers in America can pose serious threats to public safety,” Paxton said. “My office is thoroughly investigating these trucking schools, and I am taking this matter very seriously. I will fight to ensure that Texans are safe and that only qualified, English-speaking truckers are operating commercial vehicles on our roads.”
The investigation comes amid a broader tightening of English-language enforcement for commercial drivers. Recent policy shifts have emphasized stricter compliance, including penalties for drivers who fail to meet language standards.
In 2025, Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to strictly enforce English proficiency requirements for all commercial drivers, including those operating within the state, removing a previous exemption. The directive expanded checks during licensing and roadside inspections.
EP Texas Trucking School operates in Odessa and El Paso, while Trucker Certified has locations in Pampa, Amarillo, Plainview, and Borger. Fast Track CDL is located in Garland, CDLCALL operates in San Antonio, and Ancora has a main office in Arlington.
The attorney general’s office said these schools likely send graduates to trucking companies across the state, including major freight hubs such as Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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