Sponsors (7)
The bill trades clearer, nationwide CDL definitions, enforcement tools, and standardized testing (which can improve oversight and road safety) for reduced access and opportunity for non‑English speakers, delayed entry into driving careers, and increased administrative and intergovernmental costs.
State and local licensing authorities (and FMCSA) get clearer, uniform federal definitions and a named federal enforcement role for CDLs and non‑domiciled CDLs/CLPs, simplifying administration and enabling corrective action against non‑compliant jurisdictions.
Carriers, training providers, and transportation workers face a single English‑language national testing standard for CDLs, reducing variation between states and simplifying test administration and compliance logistics.
New and prospective drivers and the traveling public may see improved road safety because the bill requires a one‑year waiting period for some CDL applicants and better enforcement against jurisdictions issuing non‑compliant licenses, giving drivers more on‑road experience and reducing issuance of unsafe credentials.
Non‑English‑speaking applicants (including many immigrants and small/rural training programs) would be blocked from taking CDL exams in their native language, making licensure substantially harder and disproportionately harming rural communities and education providers.
Prospective drivers, employers, and shippers could face a smaller pool of qualified commercial drivers and delayed entry into paid driving jobs (due to English‑only tests and the one‑year eligibility delay), driving up recruitment/training costs and freight/consumer prices.
State and local agencies (and related federal partners) will incur administrative and transition costs to change licensing procedures, update materials, verify eligibility, and possibly transfer issuance authority if jurisdictions are found non‑compliant.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Mandates English-only CDL/CLP testing, requires a one-year prior non-commercial license before receiving a CDL, and lets DOT revoke non-domiciled CDL/CLP issuance for noncompliant jurisdictions.
Introduced October 16, 2025 by Thomas Bryant Cotton · Last progress October 16, 2025
Requires all tests for issuing or renewing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) to be given only in English and directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue implementing regulations within 180 days. Bars issuance of a CDL to anyone who has not continuously held a non-commercial driver’s license for at least one year immediately before receiving the CDL (with an exemption for people who already hold a CDL on enactment). Gives the Secretary authority to revoke a State’s or other jurisdiction’s ability to issue non-domiciled CDLs/CLPs if the jurisdiction fails to meet federal standards, including the new requirements; requires States, examiners, and third-party testers to comply with the rules the Secretary issues.