Paxton Investigates Trucking Schools
April 29, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — Ken Paxton has launched a sweeping statewide investigation into several commercial trucking schools accused of certifying unqualified drivers, including individuals who may not meet English-language requirements mandated by federal law.
The probe, announced by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, targets five companies: EP Texas Trucking School, Trucker Certified LLC, Fast Track CDL LLC, CDLCALL.COM LLC, and Lindenwood Education System. Civil Investigative Demands have been issued to gather documents and determine whether the schools violated state or federal regulations.
Federal rules require commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to read traffic signs, communicate with the public, respond to officials, and maintain required records. Investigators say preliminary findings suggest some schools may be ignoring those standards.
According to the Attorney General’s office, one school allegedly told prospective students that English proficiency was not necessary to complete its program and advertised services primarily in Spanish. Several of the entities under investigation are also suspected of misrepresenting their certification status, raising concerns about deceptive business practices.
Officials also flagged unusually short training programs. Some schools reportedly offer CDL courses lasting as little as 20 days—far below the typical industry range of three to seven weeks. Regulators warn that such compressed timelines may not provide adequate instruction or evaluation for safely operating large commercial vehicles.
“These actions pose a significant risk to public safety,” Paxton said in a statement, emphasizing that improperly trained drivers operating 18-wheelers could endanger motorists across Texas highways.
The investigation is being pursued under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which prohibits misleading or fraudulent business conduct. If violations are confirmed, the companies could face penalties, injunctions, or other enforcement actions.
The schools operate in multiple regions, including El Paso, Odessa, Amarillo, Garland, San Antonio, and Arlington, and may be supplying drivers to major freight corridors such as Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
State officials say the investigation remains ongoing, with a focus on protecting both aspiring drivers from fraudulent training programs and the public from unsafe conditions on the road.
