Newsweek: States Must Give Truckers New English Test or Lose Funding—GOP Bill
Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require all commercial truck drivers in the United States to pass a standardized English proficiency test before receiving a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
On Wednesday morning, Republican North Carolina Representative Pat Harrigan unveiled the SAFE Drivers Act alongside cosponsors, Texas Republican Representative Troy Nehls, and Missouri Republican Representative Bob Onder.
"If you aren’t proficient in English and can’t read road signs that are written in English, you shouldn’t be allowed to drive an 18-wheeler," Congressman Nehls told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
The bill comes amid growing concerns from Republicans over highway safety following two high-profile crashes involving commercial truck drivers who were in the country illegally. Earlier this week, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh was charged in connection with a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in California that left three people dead and several others injured.
The legislation also follows the Trump administration’s decision to withhold $40 million in federal highway funds from California after a similar fatal incident in Florida in August, when 28-year-old Harjinder Singh, who had obtained his CDL in California, was accused of making an illegal U-turn that killed three people. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said California’s refusal to enforce federal English language requirements for CDL holders contributed to the administration’s action.
What To Know
The legislation would require all states to administer a standardized English proficiency test for individuals applying for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), establishing a uniform national standard to ensure that drivers can read road signs and communicate effectively in emergency situations. The bill gives the Secretary of Transportation expanded authority to ensure compliance.
If a state fails to meet the federal standard, the secretary could withhold funding for portions of its commercial driving program.
The legislation also mandates that states submit annual reports to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration detailing the number of CDL applicants, test pass rates, and compliance data.
"We have federal rules that require English proficiency, but no standardized test to enforce them, so states like California hand out commercial licenses to drivers who can't understand basic safety instructions," Congressman Harrigan, the bill's sponsor, said in a news release.
"The SAFE Drivers Act fixes that by requiring one uniform English test nationwide before any CDL is issued. No more guesswork, no more state-by-state loopholes, just one standard that keeps Americans safe," he added.
In August, the U.S. government also temporarily halted the issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers. A State Department spokesperson said the pause was intended to allow for a comprehensive review of the screening and vetting procedures used to evaluate applicants’ qualifications for U.S. visas.