In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation requiring all applicants for a commercial driver’s license in Pennsylvania to demonstrate English proficiency and have lawful immigration status.

As background, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all commercial motor vehicle drivers to meet an English language proficiency standard, regardless of citizenship or background. Yet, reoccurring incidents have indicated many CDL holders from multiple states are lacking these necessary skills to communicate effectively.

My legislation addresses this issue by establishing multiple requirements to better align Pennsylvania law with current federal law and regulations. First, my legislation would establish in state law an English proficiency standard that requires CDL holders to be able to communicate with the public, understand English traffic signs and signals, answer official questions and complete reports and records. Next, third-party CDL testing companies and PennDOT would be required under state law to verify that each CDL applicant meets this English language proficiency standard, and PennDOT would be required to audit third parties for compliance. PennDOT would also be required to conduct all future CDL tests, both the knowledge test and skills test, only in English, without electronic interpretation devices or translation materials.

To further strengthen the English proficiency requirement, new penalties are established for CDL holders who operate a commercial vehicle and are identified as not meeting the English proficiency standard. A first offense by a CDL holder would be a summary offense, $500 fine and one-year disqualification on their CDL. Second and subsequent offenses would also be summary offenses but would include a $1,000 fine and a two-year disqualification on their CDL. Furthermore, PennDOT would be required to verify English proficiency after the period of disqualification in order for the individual to receive their CDL back.

With respect to CDL holders from other states and countries, my legislation clarifies that out-of-state CDLs are only valid in Pennsylvania when the holder meets the English proficiency standard. Additionally, if a legal immigrant holding a CDL from another country applies for a CDL from PennDOT, the department may not exempt them from our testing requirements. Finally, out-of-state CDL holders who apply for a PA CDL will need to demonstrate English proficiency before PennDOT may issue them a CDL.
 
The second component of my legislation addresses immigration status verification. The bill requires all CDL applicants to have their lawful immigration status verified according to federal standards. To confirm, PennDOT is required to verify through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system. Finally, PennDOT may only accept visa documents permitted under federal law and regulation.

Thank you, and please consider joining me in cosponsoring this important legislation establishing necessary safeguards for commercial drivers in Pennsylvania. While Pennsylvania has endeavored to comply with federal English proficiency and immigration requirements for CDLs, we must further strengthen our state law for the protection of motorists in the Commonwealth.