A new bill is being considered in the US Congress that could significantly change the rules for obtaining and renewing commercial driver's licenses (CDL). The initiative proposes the introduction of a mandatory standardized English language test for all truck and bus drivers working in interstate transportation.
The bill in question is the SAFE Drivers Act, which requires the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to develop a unified federal English language exam for CDL drivers. Unlike the current practice, where language proficiency checks vary significantly from state to state, the new test is intended to be unified and mandatory nationwide.
Detailed information about the bill is published on the official US Congress website:
SAFE Drivers Act on Congress.gov
Formally, the requirement to know English has existed for a long time. Federal regulations explicitly state that a commercial driver must "read and speak English sufficiently to understand road signs and communicate with authorities". However, in practice, enforcement of this requirement has been uneven.
In 2025, the FMCSA issued updated guidelines for inspectors, strengthening the assessment of language skills during roadside inspections. The agency emphasizes that a driver's inability to understand instructions or read signs may be grounds for disqualification from work. The official position of the agency is outlined in the FMCSA statement:
FMCSA Statement on English Language Proficiency Requirements
Supporters of the bill believe that a unified exam will:
- improve road safety;
- eliminate discrepancies between states;
- simplify compliance with federal standards.
Opponents, including some driver associations, warn of potential negative impacts on the labor market. In their opinion, a strict standardized test could create additional barriers for experienced drivers for whom English is not their native language.
Industry media are already actively discussing the initiative. According to CDL Life, the debate around the law is not only about language but also about balancing safety and access to the profession amid a driver shortage:
Bill Overview on CDL Life
At the time of publication, the bill is at an early stage of consideration and has not yet been put to a vote. Nevertheless, given the strengthening of FMCSA policy in 2025, the likelihood of further changes in English language proficiency requirements for CDL drivers remains high.
For drivers and transportation companies, this is a signal to assess risks in advance and, if necessary, invest in language training—regardless of the state in which the license is issued.