A new bill has been introduced in the US Congress that could significantly change the rules for obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL). The document provides for the mandatory conduct of all CDL exams exclusively in English, without translations and multilingual versions of the tests.
The initiative has already sparked active discussions in the trucking industry, as it directly affects road safety issues, driver training, and profession accessibility.
According to information published by the industry publication The Trucker, the bill was introduced by a group of Republican legislators in early 2025.
The proposed changes suggest that:
- the theoretical part of the CDL exam should be conducted only in English;
- the practical exam should also confirm the driver's ability to understand instructions in English;
- states will no longer be able to use translations of exam materials into other languages.
One of the authors of the initiative stated on January 16, 2025, that the goal of the bill is to "close a dangerous loophole in the licensing system" and improve road safety.
Federal English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers have long existed. The rules of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) explicitly state that a driver must be able to read and speak English to:
- understand road signs and signals;
- communicate with inspectors and emergency services;
- fill out reports and service documents.
These requirements are enshrined in FMCSA federal regulations and apply during road checks, as detailed in the regulator's official explanation: FMCSA English Language Proficiency Requirements.
However, in practice, some states allowed the CDL written exam to be taken in other languages, which, according to the bill's supporters, created a contradiction between formal requirements and the actual level of driver training.
Senators and congressmen supporting the bill emphasize that it is not about immigration policy, but about safety.
Senator Tom Cotton, commenting on a similar initiative, stated on January 9, 2025, that "drivers of multi-ton trucks must be able to understand road signs, police instructions, and emergency directions without a translator." His position is outlined in the official US Senate press release: Cotton, Barr Introduce English-Only CDL Testing Bill.
Support for the initiative is also expressed by some industry associations, pointing to an increase in incidents where the language barrier complicated inspections or responses to emergency situations.
Opponents of the bill fear that:
- the innovation will complicate access to the profession for experienced drivers for whom English is not native;
- the driver shortage may worsen, especially in certain regions;
- the safety issue is not always directly related to language, but more to the quality of training.
Experts note that the further fate of the bill will depend on discussions in relevant committees and possible amendments.
At the time of publication, the bill is under consideration in Congress. If passed, states will have to revise their CDL licensing procedures, and future drivers will have to prepare for exams exclusively in English.
For the trucking industry, this could become one of the most notable regulatory changes in recent years, directly affecting both safety and the labor market.