DOT mandates English-only CDL exams nationwide
By lauraharris // 2026-02-25
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  • DOT Secretary Sean Duffy announced that all commercial driver's license (CDL) exams will now be administered exclusively in English, requiring truck and bus drivers to complete written and skills tests in English only.
  • The English-only rule aims to ensure drivers can read road signs and communicate with law enforcement, with the DOT urging states to disqualify drivers who fail to meet federal English proficiency standards.
  • The policy represents a shift for states such as California, which previously offered CDL exams in multiple languages and comes amid concerns about inconsistent enforcement of existing language requirements.
  • Separately, the department moved to remove more than 550 commercial driver training schools from the national registry after over 1,400 investigations found safety violations, including unqualified instructors and improper training practices.
  • The DOT also limited CDL eligibility for certain foreign nationals to specific visa holders undergoing expanded review and increased scrutiny of states that issued licenses to unqualified drivers, part of a broader effort under President Donald Trump's administration to tighten oversight and improve roadway safety.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Friday, Feb. 20, that all commercial driver's license (CDL) exams will be administered exclusively in English. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, a CDL exam is designed to ensure that commercial drivers meet the high standards required to operate large and potentially dangerous commercial vehicles. The exam typically includes a written test that assesses knowledge of traffic laws, vehicle operation and safety regulations, as well as a practical driving test that evaluates the candidate's ability to handle different driving situations and vehicle types. Under the new directive, all truckers and bus drivers seeking a CDL will be required to take written and skills exams solely in English to strengthen oversight and ensure drivers can read road signs and communicate effectively with law enforcement officers. "What we're doing is implementing a rule that will say there's one language in which you can take your test – It's English only," Duffy said at the headquarters of the DOT, joined by Derek Barrs of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. "You take the test in English. You can't speak English, you can't read English — You're not going to do well on the test." The policy marks a significant shift for several states that currently offer testing in multiple languages. Duffy specifically cited California, where CDL exams have been available in as many as 20 languages. Federal regulations already require commercial drivers to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency to read highway signs and communicate during inspections or traffic stops. However, Duffy said enforcement has been inconsistent. He noted that some states have contracted third-party companies to administer CDL exams and alleged that those vendors have not consistently upheld federal standards. In response, Duffy said that the department will formally ask states to disqualify drivers who fail to meet federal English proficiency standards. "When we get on the road, we should expect that we should be safe. And that those who drive those 80,000-pound big rigs, that they are well-trained, they're well-qualified, and they're going to be safe," Duffy said.

DOT orders removal of 550 driving schools, limits CDL eligibility for foreign nationals

Aside from the English-only test, the DOT also addressed other concerns this February, targeting commercial driver training programs, saying more than 550 driving schools failed to meet basic federal safety standards and should be removed from operation. In a Feb. 18 statement, the department said the schools received notices of proposed removal from the national registry after more than 1,400 investigations uncovered widespread compliance failures. Federal officials cited a range of deficiencies, including unqualified instructors, fabricated business addresses, improper training vehicles and failure to provide required instruction on hazardous materials handling. Some of the cited schools were responsible for training school bus drivers. "For too long, the trucking industry has operated like the Wild, Wild West, where anything goes and nobody asks any questions," Duffy said. "The buck stops with me. Under President Donald Trump, my team is cracking down on every link in the trucking chain that has allowed this lawlessness to impact the safety of America's roads." Duffy said American families should be confident that both school bus and commercial truck drivers are properly trained before operating large vehicles. Additionally, on Feb. 11, the department limited CDL eligibility for certain foreign nationals to holders of H-2A, H-2B and E-2 nonimmigrant visas who undergo expanded interagency review. Federal officials have also increased scrutiny of states that issued CDLs to individuals who did not meet qualification standards. Watch this video about the Florida Turnpike crash caused by a migrant trucker who illegally obtained his CDL.
This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: YourNews.com FoxBusiness.com APNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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