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119-hr-6233119th CongressWALLET

Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act

Sponsored By: Representative Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]

In Committee

Summary

Requires English proficiency for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators. This bill would make passing CMV knowledge tests and receiving a CMV certification conditional on demonstrating the English skills needed to operate a commercial vehicle and to communicate with safety and enforcement personnel.

Show full summary
  • Prospective CMV drivers: Would need to show they can read and understand traffic signs in English, communicate with traffic safety officers, border patrol agents, agricultural checkpoint officers, and cargo weight‑limit station personnel, and give and receive directions in English.
  • Testing and applicants: Knowledge tests, whether written, verbal, or automated, may not be administered in any language other than English beginning 2 years after enactment.
  • Regulators: The Secretary of Transportation would have 2 years to change the rules in part 383 of the federal regulations to implement the new English proficiency requirement.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

English requirement for commercial drivers

If enacted, you would need to show English skills to pass a commercial driver knowledge test. This would apply to written, verbal, or automated tests. You would need to read traffic signs and speak English with traffic safety officers, border patrol agents, agricultural checkpoint officers, and cargo weight-limit staff. Tests could not be given in any language other than English. These rules would start two years after enactment.

Department of Transportation driver rule updates

If enacted, the Secretary of Transportation would revise federal commercial driver licensing rules (49 CFR part 383) as needed to implement the English proficiency requirement. The Secretary must finish any regulatory changes within two years of enactment. The updates would apply to the federal rules and to state agencies and testing entities that follow them.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]

OH • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

    WY • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 11/21/2025

  • Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 11/21/2025

  • Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 3/3/2026

  • Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 3/3/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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