Ken Paxton Investigates CDL Schools Over Alleged Certifications for Unqualified Drivers
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
EL PASO, Texas – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced a statewide investigation into several commercial driving schools accused of endangering public safety by certifying commercial drivers who are allegedly unqualified and lack proficiency in English. According to an official statement released on April 28, the investigation focuses on potential violations of state and federal laws related to the training and certification of commercial driver’s license (CDL) operators. As part of the process, the Attorney General’s Office has issued Civil Investigative Demands to the following companies: - EP Texas Trucking School - Trucker Certified LLC - Fast Track CDL LLC - CDLCALL.COM LLC - Lindenwood Education System (Ancora) Federal regulations require CDL holders to be able to read, write, and speak English to communicate with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to authorities, and complete official reports. Additionally, state and federal laws mandate that schools ensure students are adequately prepared to safely operate commercial vehicles. Authorities indicated that preliminary findings suggest some schools are disregarding these requirements, including instances where applicants are reportedly informed that English proficiency is not necessary to complete their programs. Certain centers were also found to advertise services in Spanish, falsely present themselves as certified institutions, and offer accelerated training programs lasting as little as 20 days—far below the industry average of three to seven weeks. The Attorney General’s Office stated that these practices may violate the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and pose a significant risk to motorists and pedestrians. “Putting individuals who do not speak English behind the wheel of 18-wheelers can pose a serious threat to public safety,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton. “My office will thoroughly investigate these schools and take action to ensure that only qualified, English-proficient drivers operate commercial vehicles on our roads.” According to the statement, EP Texas Trucking School operates facilities in El Paso and Odessa; Trucker Certified has locations in Pampa, Amarillo, Plainview, and Borger; Fast Track CDL is based in Garland; CDLCALL is located in San Antonio; and Ancora’s headquarters are in Arlington. These schools supply drivers to transportation companies across the state, including major logistics hubs like Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston. The investigation is ongoing and is part of the state’s efforts to protect students and ensure road safety in Texas.