New Rideshare Bill Introduced Requiring English Proficiency
A proposed piece of legislation put forth by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.) aims to stipulate English proficiency and other safety-related qualifications for rideshare drivers engaged in federal contracts.
This measure, known as the Understand the Basic English Language Requirements of the 2026 Act (UBER Act), will prevent enforcement agencies from forming contracts with transportation network or shared-use mobility companies for operations in the continental U.S., Alaska, or Hawaii unless all drivers meet specified criteria:
- Drivers must be at least 21 years old.
- They need to read and write English well enough to communicate with the public, law enforcement, and officials, recognize traffic signs, respond to official questions, and fill out reports.
- Driver must demonstrate they can safely handle the vehicle based on their training and experience.
- A valid driver’s license must be issued by only one state or jurisdiction in the U.S.
- They must have passed the driving license exam.
Interestingly, drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing and use American Sign Language would be exempt from the English requirement. However, the bill contains robust compliance measures, with companies failing to meet language certification demands facing a five-year ban from federal contracts.
Brecheen expressed his concerns, stating, “Too many Americans are being killed by illegal aliens who don’t understand English, yet are still allowed to drive on our roads,” during an interview with Breitbart News.
Alongside Brecheen, the bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.), and Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.).
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has also introduced a companion bill, which passed the Senate in November 2025 under the same name, the “UBER Act.” This version mandates English proficiency for rideshare drivers under federal agreements, aligning with existing commercial driver’s license requirements for truck drivers. Brecheen acknowledged the Senate’s efforts, thanking Tuberville for his role and emphasizing the need for this legislation to enhance road safety.
Tuberville further connected the bill to wider immigration concerns, emphasizing that federal rideshare contracts shouldn’t encourage illegal labor. He remarked, “They’re giving each person a visa, they’re giving them a driver’s license, and they’re driving Uber and Lyft even though they can’t speak English,” highlighting reports of non-national workers exchanging documents to secure rideshare jobs. He mentioned that many passengers find it daunting to ride with drivers they cannot communicate with, which he believes is “the scariest part of their day.” Both Brecheen and Tuberville characterized the UBER Act as a matter of common sense.
