I 
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 fol-
lowing 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 condi-
tion for testing and issuance, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Standardized Assess-
ment for Fluency in English for Drivers Act’’ or the 
‘‘SAFE Drivers Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
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(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 as-
sessment approved by the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Motor Carrier Safety Administration that evalu-
ates an individual’s ability to read, write, and under-
stand English in the context of commercial motor 
vehicle operation, including— 
(A) reading road signs and safety instruc-
tions; 
(B) understanding and responding to spo-
ken instructions and emergency communica-
tions; and 
(C) writing driver logs, reports, and re-
quired documentation. 
(3) APPLICANT.—The term ‘‘applicant’’ means 
any individual applying for a new commercial driv-
er’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— 
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(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘; and’’ and in-
serting 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 pro-
ficiency test issued under section 4(a) of the SAFE 
Drivers Act.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by sub-
section (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 Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminis-
tration 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 test-
ing or renewal. 
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(b) STATE RESPONSIBILITIES.—In issuing commer-
cial driver’s licenses and learners permits, State depart-
ments of motor vehicles shall— 
(1) administer and verify the English pro-
ficiency requirement; and 
(2) ensure that applicants meet all other Fed-
eral and State commercial driver’s license require-
ments. 
(c) REPORTING.—In administering the English lan-
guage proficiency test under subsection (a), States shall 
annually report to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Ad-
ministration on the number of applicants testing, pass 
rates, and compliance outcomes. 
(d) FEDERAL COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Transpor-
tation, acting through the Administrator of the Fed-
eral Motor Carrier Safety Administration, shall mon-
itor State compliance with the requirements of this 
Act. 
(2) WITHHOLDING
OF
FUNDS.—If the Sec-
retary determines that a State is not in substantial 
compliance, the Secretary may withhold a portion of 
Federal funds apportioned to the State under sec-
tions 104(b)(4) and 31313 of Title 49, United 
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States Code, until the State demonstrates compli-
ance. 
(3) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—The Secretary 
shall submit an annual report to Congress summa-
rizing State compliance, enforcement actions taken, 
and any recommendations to strengthen implementa-
tion. 
SEC. 5. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. 
The Secretary of Transportation may issue such reg-
ulations 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. 
Æ 
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