WACO, Texas (KXXV) — Thousands of truck-driving schools across the country could soon shut down after the U.S. Department of Transportation identified widespread compliance violations during recent investigations.

Watch the full story here: 'What took them so long?': Thousands of truck-driving schools could close after federal violations investigation

Eddy Hooker, director of ACE Truck-Driving Academy in Waco, said the public often forgets how critical the trucking industry is to everyday life.

“If you stop and think about it, there's not anything that you use, wear, or eat that doesn't at some point move by truck,” Hooker said.

The potential closures come as the trucking industry faces a nationwide driver shortage. Federal transportation officials say as many as 4,500 training prog

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