All Texas CDL Exams Now Must Only be Administered in English

All Texas commercial driver license (CDL) and commercial learner permit (CLP) knowledge examinations must now be administered in English only, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced Monday.

Previously, CDL knowledge exams were provided in both English and Spanish. The hands-on CDL skills test, however, has always been conducted in English only.

"DPS personnel on Texas roads, along with other certified commercial vehicle inspectors, will continue to conduct English language proficiency evaluations during routine traffic stops and at weigh stations. These evaluations are a critical measure to ensure drivers possess the necessary communication skills for on-road safety and compliance with federal regulations, and any commercial vehicle driver who does not meet the proficiency standard will be placed out of service," the department announced.

According to a report done by American Truckers United, Texas ranked as number one for the state with the most non-English-proficient drivers. Illinois followed next by a huge margin.

“What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Licenses to operate a massive, 80,000-pound truck are being issued to dangerous foreign drivers – often times illegally. This is a direct threat to the safety of every family on the road, and I won’t stand for it. Today’s actions will prevent unsafe foreign drivers from renewing their license and hold states accountable to immediately invalidate improperly issued licenses.”

The change to English only aligns Texas with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) English language proficiency requirements, after the Trump administration took emergency action in September to restrict who is eligible for non-domiciled CDLs and CLPs.