USDOT Launches Audit of FMCSA’s CDL Oversight

Federal transportation officials are opening an audit into how the FMCSA monitors state compliance with the CDL program, citing concerns over testing standards and roadway safety.

Scope of the Audit

On September 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) announced it will review FMCSA’s oversight of CDL knowledge and skills testing programs administered by states.

The audit will be conducted at FMCSA headquarters in Washington, D.C., as well as at FMCSA division offices and state locations “as necessary.”

“Given the importance of the CDL Program in helping ensure the safety of the Nation’s roadways, we are initiating this audit,” the DOT-OIG said in its announcement. “Our objective is to assess FMCSA’s oversight of States’ CDL program compliance with regulatory requirements related to CDL knowledge and skills tests.”

Safety Concerns Behind the Review

Officials pointed to the fact that 4,909 people died in crashes involving large trucks and buses in 2024, underscoring the need for strong oversight. The CDL program is a central component of FMCSA’s safety mission, intended to reduce crash frequency and severity “by verifying that only qualified drivers possess a CDL.”

The audit will specifically examine how states administer CDL testing. Knowledge tests and skills tests are conducted by state driver licensing agencies or approved third-party examiners, with the skills test required by federal regulation to be administered in English.

Regulatory Pressure on States

The audit announcement comes shortly after the U.S. Department of Transportation threatened in late August to withhold federal transportation funding from California, Washington, and New Mexico if they fail to enforce English Language Proficiency requirements for commercial drivers.

This parallel action signals heightened federal attention on state compliance with CDL regulations, particularly as questions grow about whether states are consistently applying federal testing standards.

Further Implications

The outcome of the audit could have significant consequences for both regulators and carriers. A finding of weak oversight might prompt stricter enforcement or changes in how states administer CDL programs. It also raises the possibility of closer federal monitoring of English proficiency enforcement, an issue that has already resulted in thousands of out-of-service orders this year.

Source: CDLLIFE