Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Highways and Transit Subcommittee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill introduces significant changes to the requirements for obtaining and renewing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). A primary provision mandates that all testing related to the issuance or renewal of a CDL must be administered only in English . This includes knowledge tests, tests for entry-level driver training programs, and those conducted by third-party training providers, with the Secretary of Transportation required to issue new or revised regulations within 180 days to ensure compliance. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a new prerequisite for CDL applicants, requiring them to have held a standard driver's license for a minimum of one year before they can be issued a commercial driver's license, though this does not apply to individuals already holding a CDL. The bill also grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to revoke a state's ability to issue non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses or commercial learner's permits if the state fails to comply with these new federal standards and regulations.
This bill introduces significant changes to the requirements for obtaining and renewing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). A primary provision mandates that all testing related to the issuance or renewal of a CDL must be administered only in English . This includes knowledge tests, tests for entry-level driver training programs, and those conducted by third-party training providers, with the Secretary of Transportation required to issue new or revised regulations within 180 days to ensure compliance. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a new prerequisite for CDL applicants, requiring them to have held a standard driver's license for a minimum of one year before they can be issued a commercial driver's license, though this does not apply to individuals already holding a CDL. The bill also grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to revoke a state's ability to issue non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses or commercial learner's permits if the state fails to comply with these new federal standards and regulations.