In a sweeping national crackdown under the Trump administration, four commercial driving schools in Miami-Dade County have been promptly removed from the federal registry of training providers. This move is part of a larger initiative impacting over 110 institutions nationwide, as reported by local media.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), working in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), implemented this action due to these schools' association with drivers who, after completing their training, failed to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency during roadside inspections.
Miami-Dade Schools Impacted
The following schools have been delisted in Miami-Dade:
- Soler & Soler Truck School (Cutler Bay area)
- American Trucking (Opa-locka)
- CDL Technical & Motorcycle Driving School (Hialeah Gardens)
- Metropolitan Trucking & Technical Institute (Miami)
Florida was particularly affected, with at least ten schools across the state losing their registry status.
Soler & Soler: Navigating the Fallout
Eli Soler, the owner of Soler & Soler, has been operating the school since 2020. He was informed of the removal decision this past Wednesday through a courier-delivered notice.
Weeks earlier, Soler had received a letter dated August 12, following a federal audit, which he initially interpreted as confirming compliance with regulations.
The removal notice referenced thirteen graduates from 2022 to 2025 who did not meet the federal English language requirement during subsequent roadside checks.
Soler criticized the use of post-graduation inspections to evaluate the school's performance, emphasizing that the institution does not issue commercial learner’s permits or CDL licenses, which drivers must obtain through state processes.
“This is devastating. It’s like being judged guilty without a chance to defend ourselves,” Soler expressed to Telemundo 51.
The school graduates around 500 students annually and had over 200 active students who had already invested time and money in their training. The business supports the livelihoods of more than six families.
Soler has initiated an administrative review process and requested permission to continue training sessions while the appeal is underway.
English Language Proficiency Assessment
The DOT explained to Telemundo 51 that the language assessment consists of two parts: basic questions to ascertain if the driver can communicate with authorities, and a test for recognizing traffic signs.
The DHS confirmed that it also conducts inspections of driving schools, operating independently of the DOT, with efforts spanning over 200 establishments across 23 states.
Legal Framework and Broader Implications
This action is grounded in Trump's executive order on English proficiency for truck drivers, effective June 25, 2025, which reinforced a federal requirement that had not been strictly enforced since 2016.
Under this regulation, drivers who fail the test can be immediately placed out of service, and the use of interpreters or translation apps during evaluations is prohibited.
Nationally, the FMCSA linked the removal of over 110 schools to more than 5,000 drivers who failed the language proficiency tests, identifying around 75 institutions suspected of fraudulent activities, including falsification of records and improper certifications.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made a decisive statement on the policy: “A driver who cannot understand English will not operate a commercial vehicle in this country. Period.”
Understanding the Impact of Trucking School Removals
Why were the Miami-Dade trucking schools removed from the federal registry?
These schools were removed due to associations with drivers who failed to demonstrate English proficiency during roadside inspections, as part of a nationwide initiative by the DOT and DHS.
What are the consequences for the students of these schools?
Students who were enrolled in these schools are left in uncertainty, having invested time and money into their education. The schools' removal from the registry could disrupt their path to obtaining a commercial driving license.