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Senate bill proposes mandatory English tests for new truck drivers before CDL approval.
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.
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:
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.
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.
🔥Trump's Executive Order to Be Enforced This Week
— American Truckers (@atutruckers) June 21, 2025
President Trump’s Executive Order on English Proficiency takes effect THIS COMING WEEK in the Trucking Industry!
Starting around June 25, if you cannot read or speak English proficiently, you will be prohibited from operating… pic.twitter.com/jJl5W3cMEf
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.”
Jerome Washington
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
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