Federal authorities are stepping up their campaign against safety violations in the U.S. trucking industry, extending Operation Highway Shield to additional states. The latest enforcement activity in Virginia has uncovered 100 violations, while nationwide figures released by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) indicate that 33,000 commercial drivers have been taken out of service for failing to meet English-language proficiency requirements.

As of November 4, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) continues to coordinate inspections with state authorities as part of the broader effort to improve road safety and remove drivers considered unqualified to operate commercial vehicles.

In Virginia, the FMCSA's state division joined forces with Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to inspect commercial vehicles in Stephens City. The operation involved 86 Level I inspections and identified 100 safety violations. Eleven vehicles were placed out of service, alongside two drivers, one of whom was cited for failing to meet English-language proficiency standards.

These findings were announced as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy provided further details about a separate enforcement operation recently completed in Arkansas.

Conducted between October 27 and 29, the Arkansas crackdown involved federal and state authorities carrying out 1,724 commercial vehicle inspections over 48 hours. The operation resulted in 393 drivers and commercial vehicles being placed out of service. Inspectors also recorded 183 English-language proficiency violations, while authorities made 44 criminal arrests and referred 74 immigration violations for federal enforcement.

An Arkansas Highway Police officer carries out a commercial vehicle inspection during Operation Highway Shield. The two-day enforcement campaign resulted in 44 criminal arrests and the recovery of a stolen trailer.
An Arkansas Highway Police officer carries out a commercial vehicle inspection during Operation Highway Shield. The two-day enforcement campaign resulted in 44 criminal arrests and the recovery of a stolen trailer. (Photo: Arkansas Department of Transportation)

In a separate announcement issued on Wednesday, November 4, Duffy described the Arkansas operation as another significant step in the administration's efforts to remove unqualified commercial drivers from American highways.

" Gone are the days of dangerous–and many times illegal and foreign–drivers putting American lives at risk on our roads," Duffy said. He added that the latest enforcement wave had removed more than 300 dangerous drivers from the roads, including 183 foreign drivers who were unable to read road signs. He also stressed that the administration would maintain its efforts to protect motorists.

Beyond the driver and vehicle out-of-service orders, inspectors uncovered more than 1,000 motor carrier safety violations. They also recovered a stolen trailer during the Arkansas operation.

Federal action extends to licences and driving schools

The DOT's November 4 announcement provides a broader picture of the measures taken by federal authorities against non-compliance in the commercial trucking sector.

According to the department, approximately 33,000 drivers have been placed out of service for failing English-language proficiency requirements. Federal officials have also revoked 31,000 commercial driver's licences (CDLs), which the department described as having been improperly issued to foreign drivers who had not undergone adequate vetting.

In addition, nearly 10,000 commercial driving schools have been shut down over what federal authorities characterised as improper operating practices.

The FMCSA had already taken action against training institutions in August, removing 110 commercial driver training schools associated with more than 5,000 drivers who failed English-language proficiency tests. Another 160 schools were formally notified of potential compliance concerns.

However, the DOT has not published a detailed breakdown explaining how the nationwide figures were compiled.

Three major enforcement waves since March

Operation Highway Shield has developed through several successive enforcement campaigns across the United States during 2026.

The first operation took place in Florida in March. Authorities placed 176 drivers out of service, including 54 for English-language proficiency deficiencies. The campaign also resulted in 35 arrests linked to criminal matters and the detention of 42 individuals over federal immigration violations.

A second enforcement wave followed from July 28 to 30, covering Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio. During this operation, 766 drivers and commercial vehicles were placed out of service. Authorities recorded 36 English-language proficiency violations and detained 51 individuals over immigration-related matters.

The Midwest crackdown also enabled federal authorities to recover approximately $1 million in stolen cargo.

The Arkansas campaign represents the third major enforcement wave announced by the DOT. The latest findings from Virginia further illustrate how the initiative is extending through additional state-level inspections and cooperation between federal and local agencies.

Why it matters: The expansion of Operation Highway Shield demonstrates that federal oversight of the U.S. trucking industry is moving beyond roadside inspections. Driver licensing, commercial driving schools and coordinated state enforcement are increasingly becoming central elements of the campaign.