Is English Becoming Mandatory for CDL Holders in the U.S.? The DOT Launches New CDL Reviews

Paula Rojas
4 days ago
1 min read

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced new measures to enhance road safety. Among them is a nationwide review of how Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) are issued and validated—especially those issued out-of-state or internationally.

Key points from the announcement:

Evaluation of CDL issuance procedures on a state-by-state basis
A review of non-domiciled CDLs—commonly held by immigrant or international drivers
Implementation of stricter verification protocols for domestic and international credentials
A clear goal: ensuring only qualified drivers are behind the wheel on U.S. roads

What does this mean for Latino and international drivers?

While the DOT didn’t explicitly mention English as a requirement, in practice, these new verifications, inspections, and communications are all conducted in English. Therefore, a good command of the language may soon become essential to maintain your CDL and avoid penalties.

Quoted from Secretary Duffy:

"We’re going to review non-domiciled CDLs and approve verification protocols for domestic and international credentials to ensure only qualified drivers are behind the wheel on American roads."

Our recommendations:

Make sure your CDL is active, up to date, and properly documented
Improve your English skills, especially for understanding road signs, passing inspections, and complying with DOT regulations
Stay informed—Trucking Services and Logistics will keep you updated every week