# 119-hr-5800: SAFE Drivers Act

119-hr-5800, SAFE Drivers Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10] (R-NC); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5800
- As of: 2026-09-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-5800
- Congress: 119
- Title: SAFE Drivers Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-10-21
- Sponsor: Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10] (R-NC)
- Cosponsors: 29
- Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-21

## Summary

**A nationwide FMCSA-approved English proficiency test for commercial driver's licenses.** This bill would require every applicant for a new or renewed CDL or learner's permit to pass a standardized English test that checks reading, writing, and spoken comprehension in a driving context, and it would take effect 12 months after enactment. - Drivers and applicants: Would need to pass an FMCSA-approved exam that evaluates reading road signs and safety instructions, understanding and responding to spoken directions and emergency communications, and writing driver logs and reports. - State motor vehicle agencies: Would administer and verify the English test when issuing CDLs and learner permits, ensure other Federal and State CDL requirements are met, and send annual reports to FMCSA on numbers tested, pass rates, and compliance outcomes. - Federal oversight and enforcement: Would require FMCSA to develop and approve the exam and guidance, let the Secretary of Transportation monitor State compliance, and allow withholding a portion of Federal funds apportioned to a State that is not substantially compliant.

## Cosponsors (29)

- Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22] (R-TX), 2025-10-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3] (R-MO), 2025-10-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6] (R-NC), 2025-10-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36] (R-TX), 2025-10-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23] (R-CA), 2025-10-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2] (R-NJ), 2025-10-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] (R-AK), 2025-10-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4] (R-AL), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19] (R-FL), 2025-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1] (R-MN), 2025-11-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11] (R-GA), 2025-11-12T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6] (R-FL), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1] (R-GA), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11] (R-NC), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3] (R-WI), 2025-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24] (R-NY), 2025-11-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8] (R-FL), 2025-11-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11] (R-FL), 2025-11-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27] (R-FL), 2025-11-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1] (R-TX), 2025-11-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1] (R-AL), 2025-11-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6] (R-TN), 2025-12-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4] (R-KS), 2025-12-05T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4] (R-SC), 2025-12-10T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2] (R-IN), 2026-01-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Knott, Brad [R-NC-13] (R-NC), 2026-01-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2] (R-OK), 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6] (R-VA), 2026-04-20T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3] (R-MS), 2026-04-27T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- National English test and federal oversight: benefit, medium. FMCSA would create and approve one national English test for commercial drivers. The agency would guide states on how to give the test for licensing and renewals. The Transportation Department could issue rules to carry this out. FMCSA would track state compliance and report to Congress each year.…
- States risk losing transport funds: cost, medium. If a state does not follow these rules, the Transportation Secretary could withhold part of its federal funds under 49 U.S.C. 104(b)(4) and 31313. Money could stay withheld until the state complies. This would begin 12 months after enactment. If you live in an affected state, some road or licensing…
- English test for commercial driver's licenses: mixed, low. If enacted, you would need to pass an English test to get or renew a commercial driver's license or learner's permit. The test would cover reading road signs and safety instructions, understanding spoken directions and emergency calls, and writing logs and reports. Your state DMV would give the tes…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-38: Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act
- 119-hr-3699: Energy Choice Act
- 119-hres-719: Honoring the life and legacy of Charles Charlie James Kirk.
- 119-hr-404: Hearing Protection Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-5800 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5800)

## Related
- [119-hr-38: Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-38)
- [119-hr-1628: 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1628)
- [119-hr-425: Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-425)
- [119-hr-3699: Energy Choice Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3699)
- [119-hres-719: Honoring the life and legacy of Charles Charlie James Kirk.](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hres-719)
- [119-hr-404: Hearing Protection Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-404)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5800 (as of 2026-09-21).