By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey officials have reached a settlement with a Bergen County truck driving school accused of misclassifying its commercial driver’s license instructors, depriving them of wages and worker protections.
According to information released by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), Jersey Tractor Trailer Training, Inc. (JTTT) improperly classified at least 30 instructors as independent contractors.
The lawsuit, filed in September 2024, claimed the instructors were denied overtime pay, earned sick leave, timely wages, and contributions to several state benefit funds.
Attorney General Platkin said the settlement reinforces the state’s continued crackdown on worker misclassification, noting that businesses operating in New Jersey are expected to follow long-standing labor laws.
Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo echoed that statement, emphasizing that the resolution protects workers, families, and compliant businesses.
The agreement requires JTTT to pay a total of $345,000.
Of that amount, eligible instructors are entitled to up to $137,160 in compensation based on their earnings, and $127,839 will go to NJDOL for penalties, fees, and costs associated with the case.
The total may be lowered by $80,000 if JTTT meets reporting requirements over the next two years and demonstrates compliance with employee classification laws.
State officials noted that the settlement is part of a broader effort to address misclassification in transportation and logistics. 
Similar agreements have been reached with Publishers Circulation Fulfillment, NJ Penn, and Horseless Carriage in Paterson.
Last month, New Jersey also filed suit against Amazon, accusing the company of misclassifying its Flex delivery drivers.