A Sanford, Maine man is facing criminal charges following an investigation into allegations he operated an unlicensed commercial driver’s license (CDL) training school, taking in over $28,000 from students seeking to enter the trucking industry. Paul A. Rumery, 48, has been charged with eight offenses in Maine Superior Court in York County, stemming from a scheme authorities say spanned from January 2024 through March 2026. The case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by individuals pursuing CDL training and the importance of verifying the legitimacy of training programs.
The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles began investigating Rumery in August 2024, according to court documents. Detective William Moir’s investigation revealed that Rumery allegedly conducted driver education, operated a CDL school, and acted as an instructor without the required state license. The charges arrive as the demand for truck drivers remains high nationwide, creating a market for both legitimate and fraudulent training opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, about average for all occupations.
On March 16, a judge signed an arrest warrant for Rumery based on Moir’s affidavit. Rumery faces one Class E charge, a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, and seven counts of theft by deception, Class C felonies each carrying a potential sentence of up to five years of incarceration and a $5,000 fine. The theft charges relate to allegations that Rumery knowingly misrepresented his ability to provide complete CDL training, ultimately failing to facilitate road testing for his students.
Allegations of Unfulfilled Promises
The investigation revealed that Rumery allegedly charged students between $2,700 and $5,100 for his training program, marketed under the name “The Way of the Road Trucking Academy.” A business card recovered during the investigation identified Rumery as a “State of Maine CDL Instructor,” a claim authorities dispute. Students reportedly conducted the driving portion of the training at a pit owned by Thyng’s Paving in Lyman, but Moir’s affidavit states, “There is no evidence at this point that on-road testing occurred.”
Authorities allege Rumery exploited a loophole by entering some students into an online road test portal as employees of a company where he previously worked, a company that had the authority to conduct its own driver training. Yet, after separating from his employer, Rumery reportedly lost access to this portal, leaving students unable to complete the necessary road tests. Many students found their permits expired before Rumery could submit applications to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, according to the affidavit.
The alleged scheme undercut legitimate CDL training schools in the area. Ron Vance, owner of GoDriving.Co in Saco, is listed as a complainant in the case, alleging that Rumery’s lower prices drew business away from his licensed school. Licensed schools typically charge “thousands of dollars more” than the fees Rumery allegedly collected, Moir noted in his affidavit.
Admission and Pending Proceedings
Detective Moir interviewed Rumery at the Sanford Police Department in September 2024. According to the affidavit, Rumery admitted to teaching approximately 30 students and acknowledged that not all individuals entered into the testing portal were actual employees of his former employer. Moir warned Rumery that continued instruction could lead to his arrest. Shortly after, Rumery was issued a summons for operating an unlicensed driver’s education school, and court proceedings began in November 2024, a case that remains ongoing.
The theft by deception charges stem from incidents occurring throughout 2024 and 2025. One instance involved a $3,500 check dated January 15, 2025, allegedly paid to Rumery for training. Several other victims, including small businesses that paid for employee training, are listed in the affidavit. A scheduled CDL class at the South Portland Fire Department was canceled when officials learned Rumery lacked the necessary licensing.
The case echoes concerns raised in other states regarding fraudulent CDL training operations. In a related case, New York DMV employees were recently charged with operating a similar scheme.
What’s Next
Rumery is scheduled to be arraigned on April 30 in York County Superior Court. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles is urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this alleged scheme to contact them with any relevant information. This case serves as a stark reminder for prospective CDL students to thoroughly vet training programs and verify the credentials of instructors before enrolling and paying for services.
Have you been affected by this situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and please share this article with anyone considering CDL training.
