H.R. 5800

[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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