Address The Critical Gap in CDL Training Oversight

I’m writing to express concern about a serious gap in oversight of CDL training in California that puts both new drivers and the motoring public at risk. AB 714 is a step in the right direction by requiring truck driving schools to be approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE), regardless of program cost. However, the bill alone may not fully solve the issue. Currently, the DMV verifies that training hours are submitted to the federal Training Provider Registry but does not check whether the training provider is authorized by BPPE. This oversight allows unapproved—and sometimes fraudulent—schools to certify training hours, weakening safety and consumer protection. A simple solution would be for DMV to cross-check submitted training hours against BPPE’s registry before accepting them. This procedural fix could close the loophole more effectively than legislation and may even eliminate the need for AB 714. I urge your support to address this issue—through legislation or agency action—to ensure only properly trained drivers are licensed in California. Thank you for your time and leadership.