Steve Gold of 160 Driving Academy argues that true competence requires rigorous, hands-on instruction and a culture of safety—not just passing a licensing test. He calls for stronger oversight, transparency between carriers and trainers, and an industry-wide commitment to skill-based training to protect both public safety and business integrity.

Steve Gold, CEO of 160 Driving Academy, appeared on Fox News to stress the critical role of safety in the U.S. trucking industry, highlighting the need for stronger training standards, driver development, and accountability to meet growing demand without compromising road safety.

After a fatal accident involving a non-English-speaking trucker with a commercial driver’s license, President Trump ordered the Department of Transportation to review non-domiciled CDLs issued over the past four years. This move is a significant victory for highway safety and aims to help prevent future tragedies.

As automation advances, a deepening blue-collar labor crisis is putting critical industries at risk, prompting CEOs to rethink workforce strategies by investing in skilled trades, modernizing talent pipelines, and driving systemic change to future-proof their businesses.

As AI transforms hiring, entrepreneurs are moving beyond outdated résumés and job boards to embrace faster, data-driven talent matchmaking that builds stronger teams with greater speed and precision.

Industry leaders are warning federal regulators that lax enforcement of entry-level driver training rules—particularly the self-certification process introduced in 2022—is allowing subpar programs to graduate unprepared drivers, posing serious safety and compliance risks.

A growing shortage of truck drivers, projected to exceed 160,000 by 2030, is threatening supply chain stability and driving up costs, but proactive workforce development efforts like 160 Driving Academy and supportive platforms like Truckers Network offer promising solutions to meet rising demand and improve driver retention.