Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act

Summary#

This bill would change federal rules for commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). It would require that all tests related to getting or renewing a CDL be given only in English. The Secretary of Transportation must issue or update regulations within 180 days to make this happen. The English-only rule would cover entry-level driver training tests, knowledge tests for issuing or renewing CDLs, and tests given by third-party training providers on the FMCSA training provider registry.

The bill also would require that a person must have held a regular driver's license for at least one year before getting a CDL. People who already hold a CDL on the date the bill becomes law would be exempt from that requirement.

Finally, the Secretary of Transportation could revoke a State's or other jurisdiction's authority to issue non-domiciled CDLs or commercial learner's permits (CLPs) if the State or jurisdiction does not follow applicable federal standards, including the new requirements in this bill.

What it means for you#

• If you want a CDL, the knowledge and other tests would be given only in English.
• You would generally need to have had a regular driver's license for at least one year before getting a CDL, unless you already had a CDL when the bill became law.
• Third-party training providers listed on the FMCSA registry would also have to follow the English-only testing rule.
• States that issue non-domiciled CDLs or CLPs could lose that authority if they do not comply with federal standards, including these rules.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs, budget estimates, or funding in the bill text or provided metadata.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or provided metadata describing proponents' stated reasons or arguments for the changes.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or provided metadata describing opponents' stated reasons or arguments against the changes.