Husted joins bill requiring America’s truckers to understand and read English before receiving a CDL

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Ala.) bill to strengthen America’s commercial driver’s licensing requirements.
 
The Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025 would require all testing related to the issuance or renewal of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to be conducted only in English. The bill would also require an individual licensee to hold a traditional driver’s license for at least one year prior to applying for a CDL.
 
Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
 
“The ability to read and navigate directions and road signs is a matter of life and death. Over the past year, we have seen too many examples of commercial vehicle operators cause American deaths on the road because of an inability to operate the vehicle or understand directions. Enough is enough,” said Husted.
 
“Ohio is America’s hub for commercial shipping with 60% of American and Canadian customers being within a day’s drive of our state. Every day, thousands of truckers travel through Ohio. If the men and women operating commercial vehicles through Ohio cannot speak or read basic English, lives are at risk. This bill would impose safety on American roadways,” Husted concluded.
 
“For everyone’s safety, you must be able to read and understand English road signs when operating a commercial vehicle. Our bill would require commercial drivers to pass the test given in English,” said Cotton.
 
“If you drive a truck in the United States, you should be able to speak English fluently. This protects our law enforcement officers and the general public. This is not only about safety and efficiency – it’s just commonsense. Whether taking their kids to school, driving to work, or going to the grocery store, Americans shouldn’t feel in danger every time they get on the road,” said Tuberville.
 
“By issuing CDLs to illegal immigrants, states like California are undermining federal law and endangering public safety. Our bill restores accountability by strengthening President Trump’s authority to hold liberal states in check when they defy federal law and recklessly grant CDLs to illegal immigrants,” said Barr.
 
The Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act ensures that all testing related to issuing or renewing a commercial driver’s license is conducted only in English including:
 
Any tests administered as part of an entry-level driver training program
 
Any knowledge tests related to issuing or renewing a CDL
 
And any tests administered by a third-party training provider included in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.