Based on data from early 2026, the specific number of U.S. citizens currently enrolled in truck driving schools is not explicitly reported as a single, real-time national metric. However, the industry is experiencing high demand for training due to a projected shortage of over 175,000 drivers by 2026. United States Truck Driving School
Here are key data points related to training, enrollment, and industry demand as of early 2026:
High Demand for Training: With over 237,000 annual openings projected for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers through 2033, enrollment in training programs is on the rise to fill vacancies.
Driver Shortage: The industry is facing a significant shortage, with estimates of missing drivers ranging between 80,000 and over 160,000, creating a massive push for new, trained CDL drivers.
School Closures and Capacity: As of February 2026, more than 550 driving schools were forced to close due to federal safety investigations into their training standards, temporarily reducing the immediate training capacity.
Training Standards: New drivers are expected to complete FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). CDL Training Columbia TN +5
While a direct number of current students is not available, the industry is operating under a high-demand scenario, making the training sector a critical part of the 2026 trucking landscape.
While specific enrollment numbers for 2026 are not yet aggregated into a single official total, the industry is currently undergoing a massive regulatory shift that is impacting student numbers:
Massive School Closures: As of February 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has ordered more than 550 commercial driving schools to close immediately due to safety failures, including unqualified instructors and inadequate testing.
Wider Crackdown: This follows a larger "purge" initiated in late 2025, where nearly 3,000 schools were removed from the Training Provider Registry (TPR) and another 4,000 were placed on notice for non-compliance.
Historical Context: Prior to these closures, approximately 450,000 new CDLs were issued annually in the U.S., though high turnover rates meant around 300,000 drivers left the industry each year.
Current Driver Population: There are approximately 3.5 million truck drivers currently in the U.S., with about 1.9 million of those being heavy and tractor-trailer (semi) drivers.
Projected
Need: Despite the school closures, the industry still faces a shortage
of 60,000 to 80,000 drivers in 2026, with roughly 240,300 new job
openings projected annually through the decade.
National Defense Transportation Association +8
For those looking to enroll, it is critical to use the FMCSA Training Provider Registry to ensure a school is still authorized to provide Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT).
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
No comments:
Post a Comment