Texas Implements English-Only Standards for CDL Testing

On Monday, Texas announced a new measure aimed at supporting the Trump administration’s initiative to restrict non-English speakers from driving commercial vehicles.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge test will now be conducted exclusively in English. This change applies immediately, and the use of interpreters during the test is no longer permitted. This policy aligns with President Trump’s Department of Transportation (DOT) directive, which aims to guarantee that all newly licensed commercial drivers possess the necessary communication skills for operating vehicles safely on Texas roads.

In May 2025, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated that an Obama-era policy would be revoked, thus reinstating federal English proficiency standards for CDL testing.

The DPS highlighted that Texas’ revised knowledge test is in addition to existing rules, which already mandated that the practical CDL test be in English. Moreover, “DPS officers on Texas roads and certified commercial vehicle inspectors continue to carry out English proficiency evaluations during routine traffic stops and at weigh stations,” as noted by the agency.

“These evaluations are crucial to ensuring drivers can communicate effectively for safety on the roads and adherence to federal regulations. Commercial drivers who do not meet the proficiency requirements will be barred from service,” the DPS remarked.

Concerns have grown over the dangers associated with lax regulations, particularly following several fatal truck accidents involving immigrant CDL drivers in the past year. As of April, Texas had approximately 724,000 active CDL drivers, reflecting its status as the second largest state by population, as reported by the Texas Tribune.

“All these actions, and similar measures, are part of ongoing efforts to enhance safety on our state’s and nation’s roadways,” the Texas DPS concluded in their statement.