Article Summary
Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, July 21, 2026:
- “CDL mills” under fire in the Keystone State.
- FMCSA, state officials join forces on inspection blitz.
- Major city expands CDL training program for formerly incarcerated.
- Small recall issue repaired prior to owner notification.
New Pennsylvania law adds $25K fine for ‘CDL mills’
A Pennsylvania state senator’s bill putting the clamps on “CDL mills” has been signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.
The law increases the maximum civil penalty for operating an unauthorized CDL school from $2,500 to $25,000, giving the state’s Department of Education a stronger enforcement tool to stop illegal operations and discourage violations.
Bill sponsor Judy Ward said the new law aims to strengthen Pennsylvania’s oversight of commercial driver training schools by significantly increasing the penalty for operating without authorization from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The new law is intended to affirm aspiring commercial drivers receive proper instruction from licensed schools that meet state and federal training requirements, she added.
“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 new law was passed after concerns were raised at a Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee hearing last December about unauthorized schools operating outside Pennsylvania’s regulatory framework and federal entry-level driver training requirements.
“The commonwealth’s trucking industry depends on highly skilled and well-trained driving professionals to keep our economy moving,” Ward added. “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.”
The new law does not impact private employers that provide CDL training to their own employees at no cost.
Pennsylvania’s new law comes amid a federal effort to clean up the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Training Provider Registry.
[Related: DOT, Homeland Security 'crack down' on 75 CDL schools suspected of fraud]
FMCSA, Maryland inspectors put 15 trucks, 9 drivers OOS
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Tuesday highlighted a recent effort in Maryland where federal inspectors joined state inspectors along I-81 for a targeted enforcement effort.
FMCSA’s Maryland Division recently partnered with the Maryland State Police and the Maryland Department of the Environment for a targeted inspection and high-visibility enforcement effort.
Teams completed 37 inspections and identified:
- 15 Vehicle Out-of-Service violations
- 9 Driver Out-of-Service violations
- 78 Equipment violations
- 3 Seat belt violations
- 1 English language proficiency violation
- 1 Cell phone use violation
- 1 Traffic control device violation
NYC mayor expands CDL training program for citizens on probation
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani this month announced the expansion of the City's successful Next Mile NYC CDL training program to eligible New Yorkers on probation. The announcement was made in partnership with Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) Director Deanna Logan and Department of Probation (DOP) Commissioner Sharun Goodwin.
The expansion creates a direct pathway from community supervision to stable, family-sustaining careers in the commercial trucking industry, Mamdani’s office said. The new partnership extends Next Mile NYC to more than 11,000 New Yorkers currently under DOP supervision across the five boroughs, building on the program's success serving justice-involved New Yorkers in the community and its March 2026 expansion to people in custody on Rikers Island.
"Public safety is built by creating the conditions that allow people to establish stable lives,” Mamdani said. "Expanding Next Mile NYC means thousands more New Yorkers on probation will have access to good-paying jobs, a pathway to long-term stability and the chance to provide for their families. When we invest in opportunity, we reduce recidivism, strengthen our economy and make our city safer for all."
Through workforce development organization Emerge Career, participants complete a 40-hour online CDL training course, earn their commercial learner's permits (CLPs), receive behind-the-wheel instruction and take the New York State CDL road test. Graduates also receive job placement support connecting them with employers offering salaries ranging from $70,000 to $125,000.
Since launching in 2025, Next Mile NYC achieved the following results:
- 306 participants have earned CLPs and 187 have obtained CDLs.
- 111 participants have secured full-time employment, earning an average salary of $73,573 and a median salary of $75,000. Another 74 graduates have pending job offers.
- Zero participants have reported being rearrested.
- 94% of participants who completed behind-the-wheel training earned a CDL.
- 97% of participants who earned a CDL received a job offer within six months.
In March, Mamdani announced an expansion of Next Mile NYC in partnership with the Department of Correction, allowing eligible people on Rikers Island to begin online coursework while in custody before transitioning to behind-the-wheel instruction, licensing and job placement after release. Since that expansion, 66 people have enrolled in the program and 22 have successfully completed the online training.
Small number of Peterbilt, Kenworth trucks recalled, issue already fixed
Paccar is recalling eight model-year 2026-’27 Peterbilt 579 and 2027 Kenworth T680 tractors in which the trailer air connection quick release (QR) valve in the air brake system may have been incorrectly installed.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents note that the issue can cause the trailer to become unstable after the driver applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Paccar inspected and reinstalled the valves, as necessary, free of charge. All affected tractors have been repaired and therefore no owner notification letters are necessary. Owners can contact Peterbilt's customer service at 1-940-591-4220 and Kenworth's customer service at 1-425-828-5888 with recall number 26PACC. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-442.
