[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5800 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5800
To require all applicants for a commercial driver's license to
demonstrate English language proficiency as a condition for testing and
issuance, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 21, 2025
Mr. Harrigan (for himself, Mr. Nehls, and Mr. Onder) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require all applicants for a commercial driver's license to
demonstrate English language proficiency as a condition for testing and
issuance, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Standardized Assessment for Fluency
in English for Drivers Act'' or the ``SAFE Drivers Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Commercial driver's license.--The term ``commercial
driver's license'' has the meaning given such term in section
31301 of title 49, United States Code.
(2) English proficiency test.--The term ``English
proficiency test'' means a standardized assessment approved by
the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration that evaluates an individual's ability to read,
write, and understand English in the context of commercial
motor vehicle operation, including--
(A) reading road signs and safety instructions;
(B) understanding and responding to spoken
instructions and emergency communications; and
(C) writing driver logs, reports, and required
documentation.
(3) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means any individual
applying for a new commercial driver's license or the renewal
of an existing commercial driver's license.
SEC. 3. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT.
(a) Standards and Administration.--Section 31308 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (4)(E) by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) before a commercial driver's license or learners
permit is issued or renewed, each applicant for a commercial
driver's license or for a renewal of such license must pass the
English language proficiency test issued under section 4(a) of
the SAFE Drivers Act.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to any individual issued or renewed a commercial driver's license
or learners permit on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT.
(a) Standards and Administration.--The Administrator of the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall--
(1) develop, maintain, and approve the English language
proficiency test; and
(2) provide guidance to States for administering such test
as part of commercial driver's license testing or renewal.
(b) State Responsibilities.--In issuing commercial driver's
licenses and learners permits, State departments of motor vehicles
shall--
(1) administer and verify the English proficiency
requirement; and
(2) ensure that applicants meet all other Federal and State
commercial driver's license requirements.
(c) Reporting.--In administering the English language proficiency
test under subsection (a), States shall annually report to the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration on the number of applicants
testing, pass rates, and compliance outcomes.
(d) Federal Compliance and Enforcement.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Transportation, acting
through the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration, shall monitor State compliance with the
requirements of this Act.
(2) Withholding of funds.--If the Secretary determines that
a State is not in substantial compliance, the Secretary may
withhold a portion of Federal funds apportioned to the State
under sections 104(b)(4) and 31313 of Title 49, United States
Code, until the State demonstrates compliance.
(3) Report to congress.--The Secretary shall submit an
annual report to Congress summarizing State compliance,
enforcement actions taken, and any recommendations to
strengthen implementation.
SEC. 5. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.
The Secretary of Transportation may issue such regulations as are
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on the date that is 12 months after the
date of enactment of this Act.
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