Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5767
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T08:07:01Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025 aims to improve the safety and security of commercial vehicle operations by standardizing requirements for obtaining or renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). It focuses on ensuring applicants have sufficient English proficiency and prior driving experience, while strengthening federal oversight of state-issued licenses, particularly for non-residents.
Key Provisions
- English-Only Testing Requirement: All tests related to issuing or renewing a CDL must be conducted exclusively in English. This includes knowledge tests, skills tests, entry-level driver training assessments, and any exams given by third-party providers registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA, the agency overseeing truck and bus safety).
- Prior Driver's License Holding Period: Individuals must hold a regular driver's license (a basic license for non-commercial vehicles) for at least one year before qualifying for a CDL. This rule takes effect immediately upon the bill's enactment but exempts those who already hold a CDL.
- Federal Rulemaking: The Secretary of Transportation must issue or update regulations within 180 days to implement the English-only testing, covering all CDL-related exams.
- Revocation Authority: The Secretary can revoke a state or jurisdiction's permission to issue "non-domiciled" CDLs or commercial learner's permits (CLPs, temporary permits for trainees) if they fail to comply with federal standards, including the new requirements in this Act. Non-domiciled licenses are issued to people living outside the issuing state, often under international agreements.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 31305(a) of Title 49, United States Code (the federal law governing CDL testing), by adding a new paragraph mandating English-only administration of tests. Previously, states had flexibility in language use for CDL exams.
- Introduces a new one-year prerequisite for holding a regular driver's license before obtaining a CDL, which is not currently required under federal law.
- Expands the Secretary's enforcement powers under existing regulations (e.g., 49 CFR Part 383) to include revocation for non-compliance with these specific provisions, building on prior authority but tying it directly to language and experience rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: State departments of motor vehicles (DMVs) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will need to update testing procedures, training materials, and systems, potentially increasing administrative costs and workload. The FMCSA may face more oversight responsibilities for third-party testers.
- On Citizens: Non-native English speakers, including immigrants or limited-English-proficiency individuals, may face barriers to obtaining or renewing CDLs, possibly delaying entry into commercial driving jobs. Existing CDL holders are unaffected by the license-holding requirement.
- On International Relations: Could complicate licensing for foreign nationals or temporary workers (e.g., under visa programs) seeking non-domiciled CDLs, potentially affecting cross-border trucking with Canada or Mexico, though it aligns with existing federal standards for uniformity.
- Broader Effects: May enhance road safety by ensuring CDL holders can fully understand traffic laws and road signs in English, but could reduce the pool of qualified commercial drivers, impacting industries like logistics and agriculture.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and Local Governments: DMVs responsible for CDL issuance, which must comply or risk losing federal authority.
- Commercial Drivers and Applicants: Especially non-domiciled individuals, non-native English speakers, and new entrants to the field who may need additional language training or delay their CDL applications.
- Transportation Industry: Trucking companies, bus operators, and third-party training providers, who rely on a steady supply of licensed drivers and may incur costs for compliance.
- Federal Agencies: DOT and FMCSA, tasked with enforcement, rulemaking, and monitoring state compliance.
- Immigrant and Minority Communities: Potentially disadvantaged groups facing language barriers in accessing commercial driving careers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens federal uniformity in CDL standards under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, but states could challenge the English-only rule if it conflicts with their bilingual testing practices. The revocation authority provides a clear enforcement mechanism, reducing ambiguity in compliance disputes.
- Constitutional Implications: The language requirement might raise equal protection concerns under the 14th Amendment for non-English speakers, as it could be seen as indirectly discriminating based on national origin (though justified by public safety interests). The one-year prerequisite is straightforward and less likely to face challenges.
- Political Implications: Positions the bill as a security measure to prevent unqualified drivers from operating commercial vehicles, potentially appealing to concerns about immigration and highway safety, but it may spark debates on accessibility and workforce diversity without altering broader immigration policies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2025-10-17: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-10-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-10-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025 — issued 2025-10-17 — PDF (4 pages)