Senate Pushes to Strengthen English Proficiency Tests for CDL Applicants

A new bill in the U.S. Senate seeks to tighten commercial driver licensing standards by mandating English language proficiency for all new CDL applicants. The legislation reflects an escalating federal effort to ensure drivers on U.S. highways can read road signs and communicate effectively with law enforcement.

New Bill Targets Pre-Licensing Language Standards

On June 18, Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS), along with Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), introduced the Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act. The bill proposes a mandatory English test for all CDL applicants, covering three core competencies:

• Reading and understanding traffic signs
• Communicating with law enforcement
• Exchanging directions and feedback in English

Importantly, the bill prohibits CDL exams from being administered in any language other than English.

“Anyone driving on American roads, especially those operating large trucks and trailers, should be capable of understanding what the road signs say or how to communicate with police,” Senator Marshall stated.

Federal Crackdown Aligns with Trump's Executive Order

The Senate proposal builds on President Trump’s April 2025 Executive Order, which reinstated the ability to place drivers out of service for failing English proficiency requirements, reversing a 2016 policy. The Executive Order was followed in May by FMCSA guidance detailing a two-step assessment process for law enforcement to evaluate English skills during inspections.

On June 25, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will enforce English proficiency violations as grounds for immediate out-of-service action.

Senator Hyde-Smith emphasized the stakes:

“English proficiency for commercial truck drivers isn’t just practical—it can be a matter of life and death.”

USDOT Highlights Deadly Crashes Tied to English Deficiency

USDOT cites fatal crashes to stress English proficiency rules for U.S. truck drivers, reinforcing a Trump-era enforcement push.

FreightCaviarJerome Washington

Lawmakers Aim to Close Licensing Gaps

Unlike current federal policies that primarily focus on enforcement after drivers are already on the road, this legislation would prevent non-proficient drivers from obtaining a CDL in the first place.

If enacted, the bill would take effect two years after signing, giving states and licensing bodies time to align with federal requirements.

Source: FreightWaves | CDLLIFE