Trucking news and briefs for Friday, July 17, 2026:
Feds target 75 CDL schools in joint DOT-Homeland Security probe
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday a joint operation targeting fraudulent commercial driver’s license schools, expanding an ongoing crackdown on unqualified truck and bus drivers. The agencies are partnering to investigate approximately 75 entry-level driving schools suspected of fraudulent activities.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the flagged schools are suspected of using improper driver certifications, falsifying training records and failing to properly train drivers applying for commercial driver's licenses, or CDLs.
Federal transportation officials will utilize DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations unit to probe the suspect schools.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the partnership builds on a yearlong federal effort to remove "bad actors" from the trucking industry.
"We've knocked over 24,000 drivers off our roads for failing to speak English, forced states to cancel over 28,000 licenses illegally issued to foreign drivers, and purged over 9,500 unqualified training schools from our FMCSA registry," Duffy said, adding that the joint operation will serve as a "force multiplier" for road safety.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the initiative is designed to eliminate CDL fraud and strengthen the integrity of the licensing system through a "whole of government approach."
NHTSA to autonomous vehicle devs: Fix emergency responder interactions
A July 8 letter from National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Jonathan Morrison to “Driverless Automated Driving System Developers” tells the developers they need to ensure the autonomous vehicles are able to navigate around emergency responders without interference.
Morrison noted that in recent months, “NHTSA has identified a clear pattern of driverless AVs interfering with law enforcement and other first responders,” adding that “the agency has documented multiple instances in which AVs drove directly into active emergency scenes, blocked the paths of ambulances and firefighters, or failed to recognize and respond to basic safety conditions like flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire, and traffic cones.”
Morrison was clear in the letter AV developers must fix the issues, noting that AVs “must support [law enforcement’s] efforts and get out of the way, not disrupt their life-saving mission or compound the dangers they face.”
[Related: DOT ready to put the brakes on brake pedal requirement]
“This is unacceptable. To state it bluntly: an AV that cannot safely interact with first responders is a danger to the general public,” he said. “Every second matters when law enforcement officers, firefighters, or paramedics are answering a call because lives are on the line. That is why human drivers who impede these operations are subject to fines and even jail time.”
Morrison’s letter makes a “call to action” for AV developers and operators “to immediately focus their resources on fixing this issue.” NHTSA expects developers to prioritize interactions with first responders and noted that the agency will be scheduling meetings with them by the end of July to hear about solutions to the problem.
“NHTSA has already been active in this space and will continue to exercise our enforcement authority for developers that do not address significant safety concerns,” Morrison added. “Public trust on our roads is earned, not given.”
[Related: Up close with International's driverless LT]
Canadian truck driver, passenger arrested at border for human smuggling
Two individuals were arrested in late June at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry in Buffalo, New York, while seeking entry into the United States in a commercial truck.
Khvicha Chalisuri, 63, a Canadian citizen and native of Georgia, was charged with alien smuggling, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Alexandru-Stefanita Iordache, 34, a Romanian native living in Canada, was charged with eluding examination or inspection by immigration officers, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison.
According to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, in the early morning hours of June 24, Chalisuri was allegedly encountered at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry seeking entry to the United States in a commercial truck. Chalisuri was asked if anyone else was in the truck and he said no. Chalisuri was then referred to X-ray to have the truck and cargo scanned.
During the scan of the truck, an officer noticed an anomaly, which appeared to be a person standing in the sleeper portion of the cab. The individual was removed from the truck and later identified as Iordache. Subsequent investigation determined that Iordache, who was living in Canada, has no authorization for lawful entry to the United States.
Both defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and were detained.
WIT accepting Influential Woman in Trucking nominations
The Women in Trucking Association (WIT), in partnership with TrueBlue’s Centerline Drivers, is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Influential Woman in Trucking Award, recognizing women whose leadership is helping shape the future of trucking.
Now in its 16th year, the award celebrates women who make or influence key decisions across the trucking, transportation, logistics, and supply chain industries. Nominees are recognized not only for their professional accomplishments, but also for their vision, leadership, mentorship, and commitment to paving the way for others.
"Every year, we're inspired by the remarkable women who are driving innovation, leading with purpose, and creating opportunities for the next generation," said Jennifer Hedrick, president and CEO of WIT. "This award shines a spotlight on leaders whose influence extends far beyond their organizations. We encourage the industry to nominate the women whose leadership deserves to be recognized and celebrated."
Nominations are open through August 31 and can be submitted online here.
The winner will be announced during the 2026 Accelerate! Conference & Expo, to be held Oct. 25-28 in Dallas, Texas. Finalists will also participate in a featured panel discussion on Oct. 28, sharing their leadership lessons, career experiences, and insights that have shaped their success.
Past recipients of the Influential Woman in Trucking Award represent some of the most respected and influential leaders in the trucking industry, including:
- 2025: Dee Dee Cox, Vice President of Human Resources, Old Dominion Freight Line (CCJ Top 250, No. 9)
- 2024: Tracy Rushing, Executive Director of Safety and Recruiting, RE Garrison Trucking (No. 102)
- 2023: Shelley Simpson, President, J.B. Hunt Transport Services (No. 5)
- 2022: Trina Norman, Southern California Feeder Operations Manager, UPS (No. 2)
- 2021: Lily Ley, VP & CIO, Paccar
- 2020: Kristy Knichel, President, Knichel Logistics, and Jodie Teuton, Co-Founder, Kenworth of Louisiana
