Two lawmakers who sponsored legislation to require that commercial driver license testing be conducted in English are now urging Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to investigate the growing trucking industry concern of so-called CDL mills, reports Transport Topics.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) pointed to such noncompliant entry-level driver training programs as mechanisms designed to exploit regulatory loopholes to produce poorly trained drivers that could pose a threat to motorists.
“As the sponsors of the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act, we have been at the forefront of efforts to strengthen our commercial licensing system,” the two policymakers wrote the secretary. “While Congress works to pass the legislation, we strongly encourage DOT to use its rulemaking authority to make further changes like mandatory training hours behind the wheel for CDLs.”
The letter to Duffy came shortly after Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) unveiled legislation that would require CDL holders to understand English and be able to adequately communicate in the language. Her bill also would disqualify commercial drivers who fail requisite English communication standards.
The American Trucking Associations has endorsed efforts in Washington meant to reinforce English-language metrics and standards. ATA has called on Congress to enhance overall training, testing and licensing standards for CDL holders.