States tighten CDL English rules as federal penalties return

Truck drivers who struggle to read road signs or communicate with police are facing a tougher spotlight across the country.

Federal rules have long required commercial drivers to know enough English to read road signs, follow directions and answer questions during inspections. For years, drivers who failed to meet those standards were often still allowed to drive. That is changing.

After a push from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, tougher enforcement returned. Soon after, President Donald Trump signed an order reinstating penalties for drivers who fail to meet English-proficiency rules. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance followed suit and reinstated out-of-service penalties for drivers who cannot meet the standard.

Now, states are taking those federal rules and writing them into state law. Arkansas and Oklahoma led the way last year, and more states have joined this year.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is the latest state to tighten the English proficiency rules. A new law requires that all CDL knowledge and skills tests be given in English.

Before the change, applicants could take the knowledge test in six other languages. Starting Aug. 31, truck drivers who passed the knowledge test in another language during the past five years must retake it in English. If they do not, they could lose their CDL privileges. Interpreters are also banned during testing.

Joe Scully, president of the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association, told lawmakers the bill helps ensure the state’s CDL holders meet the standard. Rep. Ted Gorski, R-Bedford, said, “Our roadway signs are in English,” and added, “If someone is going to be driving such a potentially dangerous vehicle, we ought to expect that the driver can understand the signals and signs on I-93.”

California

California lawmakers are pushing back against federal CDL penalties. The California Senate approved a resolution asking Congress to revisit federal CDL disqualification rules and the penalties tied to them.

SJR16 urges federal officials to review the rules and consider changes to penalties that can suspend or revoke a CDL. Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, said federal rules have led to an estimated 17,000 CDL suspensions and another 13,000 licenses canceled. She said the federal crackdown followed a deadly Florida crash involving a California-based driver.

The resolution now heads to the Assembly.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving to tighten English proficiency rules. A bill moving through the statehouse would require English proficiency for all CDL testing.

Pennsylvania already requires road tests to be taken in English. SB1295 would extend that rule to written tests. CDL manuals could still be offered in other languages.

Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, said the bill closes loopholes that allowed truck drivers who don’t meet federal standards to keep driving. The Senate has passed the bill. It now sits in the House Transportation Committee.