Summary
Republican lawmakers have proposed a law requiring all U.S. commercial truck drivers to pass a standardized English test before getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The goal is to ensure drivers can read signs and communicate during emergencies, enhancing road safety. If states do not comply, they may lose certain funds related to their commercial driving programs.
Key Facts
- The proposed legislation is called the SAFE Drivers Act.
- This bill requires a national standard English proficiency test for CDL applicants.
- The proposal gives the Secretary of Transportation more authority to enforce compliance.
- States failing to comply with the test requirements may face cuts to their funding for commercial driving programs.
- The bill comes after two major crashes involving non-English speaking truck drivers.
- The Trump administration previously withheld funds from California over similar safety concerns.
- States must provide annual reports on CDL applicants’ test pass rates and compliance.
- The act is not expected to move forward until the government shutdown is resolved.
