Transport Secretary Announces CDL Exam Changes
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has declared that the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) exam will now only be administered in English. This move is part of wider efforts to address issues surrounding unverified foreign truck drivers.
During a press briefing on Friday, Duffy highlighted how millions have entered the U.S. illegally under the current administration, and many see truck driving as a viable employment option. He criticized the Biden administration for not enforcing English proficiency standards and noted that certain states have issued driver’s licenses without following proper protocols. Additionally, he called out former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for lax regulations regarding driver training qualifications.
Duffy made it clear that individuals who cannot speak English fluently would face immediate removal from the testing process. “In the future, we’ll be asking the state to revoke your license,” he stated. He pointed out that in some states, such as California, the possibility of taking driving exams in multiple languages still exists.
“We’re implementing a rule that restricts the testing to one language—English only,” he said.
This announcement follows the Department of Transportation’s decision to close a loophole that previously allowed immigrant truck drivers to acquire CDLs. According to recent reports, these new regulations aim to prevent foreign drivers who haven’t gone through necessary inspections from obtaining licenses.
A recent press release explained, “This reform addresses safety concerns by stopping foreign drivers from getting 18-wheeler licenses without proper vetting.” It also noted that while U.S. drivers are subjected to thorough checks through national databases, states presently lack access to the driving records of immigrants and those without legal status attempting to obtain CDLs.
Duffy’s announcement is particularly timely, considering two deadly crashes in Indiana said to involve illegal immigrants, as referenced by local news sources.
