Updated September 10, 2026
EZ Wheels Driving School, Start CDL Inc. and Punjabi School of CDL Inc. are among the New Jersey CDL training providers included in an August 31 federal emergency-removal action targeting more than 110 Entry-Level Driver Training providers nationwide.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said the affected providers are being emergency-removed from the federal Training Provider Registry, or TPR, and must immediately stop operating as training providers. That includes providing ELDT instruction, using facilities for training and conducting behind-the-wheel training.
For current CDL students, especially anyone enrolled with one of the affected providers, the most important question is what happens to your training and what you should do next.
CDL Schools That Were Removed On 8/31
| Provider | State |
|---|---|
| EZ Wheels Driving School | NJ |
| Start CDL | NJ |
| Punjabi School of CDL | NJ |
| J&S Reliance Driving School | NY |
| Red Hook Commercial Driving School | NY |
| US Mule CDL Driving School | NY |
| CDL Lab | PA |
| Patriot Commercial Training LLC | NJ |
You can also check out the full list here: https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/provider/removed
Why Did FMCSA Emergency-Remove These CDL Training Providers?
FMCSA said it reviewed roadside inspection records involving drivers cited for failing federal English Language Proficiency requirements and compared those records with Training Provider Registry data. The agency said this review identified training providers that repeatedly certified drivers who did not meet federal qualification standards.
Separately, FMCSA conducted nearly 400 investigations of ELDT providers across 40 states. According to FMCSA, those investigations found issues including, but not limited to:
- Training ranges without adequate room to perform required maneuvers
- Instructors who didn’t have the correct licenses
- Missing student assessment documentation
- Questions about whether some claimed classroom facilities were appropriate for instruction
Those investigations resulted in more than 160 notices of proposed removal.
What Does This Mean If You're Currently a Student at One of These Schools?
If you’re currently training with one of these schools on the list, don’t make assumptions about your CDL status based only on a news headline.
FMCSA states that :
These providers must immediately cease all operations as a training provider, including administering curricula, utilizing facilities for instruction, and conducting behind-the-wheel training.
So The date your training was completed matters. When a provider is removed from the Training Provider Registry, training conducted after the removal date is considered invalid.
Students can choose another training provider, and you might not have to restarting everything. ELDT separates different training components and requirements, and FMCSA advises students to check their completed training records.
For example, a student may have completed theory training but still need behind-the-wheel training.
The next provider should understand what you’ve already completed before telling you what additional training you need.
If you’ve been affected by the recent emergency removals and are looking for another CDL training option in New Jersey, you can speak with a Driving Academy CDL advisor and we will walk you through your options.
How to Check a CDL School Before You Enroll
Before choosing a CDL school, don’t just compare price. Take a few minutes to make sure the school has the right training environment, instructors and credentials.
Ask About the Training Yard
Visit the school if you can. Look at the training yard, trucks and classrooms and make sure students are actually getting hands-on practice.
Ask About the Instructors
Find out who will be teaching you and how much CDL driving and training experience they have.
Good instructors should have the proper CDL instructor qualifications and experience to prepare students for real-world driving and the CDL skills test.
Check the FMCSA Training Provider Registry
If your training is subject to Entry-Level Driver Training requirements, make sure the school and training location are currently listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry.
You can check the registry yourself instead of relying only on what the school says.
Go to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry yourself and search for the specific provider and training location you’re considering:
Ready to Start or Continue Your CDL Training?
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