Truckers call bill to require English-only CDL testing ‘common sense’

This week, lawmakers introduced a bill that would tighten English language standards for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) applicants.

Bill To Require English-Only CDL Testing

On November 20, Reps. Dave Taylor, Harriet Hageman, and Greg Steube introduced Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act.

Current law allows the CDL knowledge test to be administered in any language, while the road skills test must be administered in English. If passed, the bill would require all testing required to earn a CDL to be conducted in English only. 

Lawmakers say that the bill will “ensure that only those who can understand English enough to comprehend road signs can obtain CDL licensure.”

This is a companion bill to the Senate version (S. 2114) introduced in June 2025.

While federal authorities have tightened enforcement of English Language Proficiency standards for CDL drivers already on the road this year, bills like the Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act seek to prevent unqualified drivers from ever obtaining a CDL in the first place.

“It’s a no-brainer – if you want to drive an 80,000-pound vehicle on American roads, you should be able to read the road signs,” said Taylor. “Ohio families should be able to get in their cars without fear of being in a tragic collision at the hands of a driver of a heavy vehicle who can’t understand critical warning signs. This bill will ensure safety for everyone and prevent any more innocent American lives from being lost.”

“Our bill ensures the CDL knowledge test is administered only in English, closing dangerous loopholes. When an individual operating a vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds cannot understand warnings like ‘Slow Down’ or ‘Accident Ahead,’ lives are put at risk. Improving road safety is a significant issue across Wyoming, where tragic accidents claim lives year after year. Our legislation is essential to protect the safety and security of every driver on our roads,” said Hageman.

Trucking Group Says Bill Would Make Roads Safer

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has spoken out in support of the Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act.

“Nobody cares about road safety more than professional truck drivers. That’s why OOIDA and truckers across America strongly support Representative Taylor’s CMV English Proficiency Act because it’s common sense that truck drivers should demonstrate they can read critical road signs before getting behind the wheel of an 80,000 lb. vehicle on public roadways. In addition to reading road signs, professional truckers routinely  communicate with law enforcement and first responders in order to do their jobs safely and effectively. Representative Taylor’s legislation aligns with OOIDA’s long-standing advocacy for stronger driver training standards and we appreciate his leadership in making our roads safer for our members and the motoring public,” said Todd Spencer, President of OOIDA.