Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025
This bill, titled the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025, would require all testing related to obtaining or renewing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to be conducted only in English. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue or revise regulations within 180 days to ensure English-only testing across all CDL-related exams, including entry-level driver training tests, knowledge tests for CDL issuance/renewal, and tests administered by third-party providers on the FMCSA training provider registry. The bill also adds a new restriction: starting from enactment, a CDL may not be issued to someone who has not held a driver's license for at least one year, with an exemption for individuals who already hold a CDL at the time of enactment. Additionally, the Secretary would have authority to revoke a state’s ability to issue non-domiciled CDLs or non-domiciled CLPs if the state is not in compliance with federal standards, including the provisions of this Act.
Key Points
- 1English-only testing requirement: All CDL-related tests (including entry-level training, knowledge tests, and third-party provider tests on the FMCSA registry) must be administered only in English.
- 2Rulemaking timeline: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must issue or revise regulations and guidance to implement English-only testing across all affected testing.
- 3One-year driver’s license hold period: Beginning on enactment, a CDL may not be issued to someone who has not held a standard driver’s license for at least one year prior to the CDL issue date, with an exemption for those who already hold a CDL.
- 4Compliance and enforcement: The Secretary may revoke a state’s authority to issue non-domiciled CDLs or non-domiciled CLPs if the state does not comply with federal standards, including the provisions of this Act.
- 5Definitions: The bill provides specific definitions for CDL, driver’s license, non-domiciled CDL/CLP, and the Secretary to clarify scope and applicability.