House Bill Seeks National English Test for Truck Drivers
SAFE Drivers Act Would Require FMCSA to Standardize Language Exam for CDL Holders
Key Takeaways:
- House Republicans introduced the SAFE Drivers Act to require a standardized English proficiency test for all commercial driver license applicants and renewals nationwide.
- Supporters say the measure would close safety gaps caused by inconsistent state enforcement of existing English rules, with backing from American Trucking Associations.
- The bill has not yet been scheduled for committee review, while a similar Senate proposal from Sen. Cynthia Lummis awaits consideration.
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U.S. House representatives have introduced legislation designed to establish a nationwide English proficiency test for drivers seeking commercial licenses.
Sponsored primarily by Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.), the Standardized Assessment for Fluency in English for Drivers Act is meant to guarantee commercial drivers have a proficient understanding of English.
Specifically, the would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to develop a uniform English proficiency test. The test would be administered in every state as a requisite for the issuance and renewal of a commercial driver license. The test would assess ability to decipher road signs as well as understand spoken instructions and prepare written reports.
As part of the measure, the transportation secretary would be able to withhold federal highway funds for failure to comply.
“If you can’t read ‘Bridge Out Ahead’ or communicate with a state trooper at a crash scene, you have no business driving an 80,000-pound truck on American highways,” Harrigan said Oct. 22. “We have federal rules that require English proficiency, but no standardized test to enforce them, so states like California hand out commercial licenses to drivers who can’t understand basic safety instructions.
“The SAFE Drivers Act fixes that by requiring one uniform English test nationwide before any CDL is issued. No more guesswork, no more state-by-state loopholes, just one standard that keeps Americans safe.”
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Republican Reps. Troy Nehls of Texas and Bob Onder of Missouri are co-sponsors. Its committee consideration has yet to be scheduled.
Stakeholders endorsing the bill’s introduction include American Trucking Associations.
“The ability to read road signs, understand the rules of the road and communicate with law enforcement officials is vital to ensuring the safety of all motorists,” ATA said in a statement that accompanied the bill’s introduction. “That’s why English proficiency is a requirement for operating a commercial motor vehicle, but uneven enforcement across all 50 states has created dangerous loopholes. We welcomed President [Donald] Trump’s executive order that provided much-needed clarity in this area, and we commend this effort by Rep. Harrigan to establish an objective, uniform and effective test during the CDL issuance and renewal process.”
The North Carolina Trucking Association also endorsed the bill.
“English-language proficiency has been a federal requirement for commercial drivers since 1937,” the state organization explained, “yet enforcement has varied widely across states and over time. By directing FMCSA to implement a standardized English proficiency test at the point of CDL issuance and renewal, not during roadside inspections, this bill ensures that every driver entering the workforce can read road signs, communicate with law enforcement and respond effectively in emergencies. It eliminates the patchwork of state-level standards and enforcement discrepancies and prevents unqualified drivers from ever getting behind the wheel.”
"Wyoming families and travelers deserve safe highways,” Lummis said. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg)
Earlier in October, Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) proposed a bill that would require CDL holders to understand English and communicate in the language. The Senate legislation would disqualify commercial drivers who fail requisite English communication standards.
“Wyoming families and travelers deserve safe highways,” Lummis, a transportation policymaker, said Oct. 14. “I’m introducing this common-sense legislation to ensure commercial truck drivers operating heavy vehicles can simply read signs, understand traffic laws and communicate effectively with law enforcement and emergency responders.”
The Senate bill’s committee consideration has not been scheduled.
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