S. 3013: Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025, proposes several changes to the process of issuing and renewing commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) in the United States. Below is a summary of the key provisions of the bill:

Testing Requirements

The bill mandates that all tests related to the issuance or renewal of a commercial driver’s license must be conducted exclusively in English. This includes:

• Entry-level driver training program tests
• Knowledge tests for CDL issuance or renewal
• Tests administered by third-party training providers registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The Secretary of Transportation is required to create or modify existing regulations to enforce this requirement within 180 days following the enactment of the bill.

Driver's License Requirement

Under this bill, individuals will be required to hold a regular (non-commercial) driver's license for at least one year before they can be issued a commercial driver's license. This condition is not applicable to those who already possess a commercial driver's license at the time the bill is enacted.

Revocation of Authority

The bill gives the Secretary of Transportation the authority to revoke any state or jurisdiction's ability to issue non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses or learner’s permits if they are found not to comply with the federal standards set by this bill or other applicable federal regulations.

Definitions

The bill includes several definitions relevant to the testing and licensing of commercial drivers, such as:

• Commercial driver’s license (CDL): Defined according to existing federal law.
• Driver's license: Also defined according to existing federal law.
• Non-domiciled CDL: A CDL issued to individuals not residing in the issuing state or jurisdiction.
• Non-domiciled CLP: A commercial learner's permit issued under similar conditions.

Summary of Changes

Overall, the bill emphasizes the necessity for English proficiency in the testing of commercial drivers and establishes stricter requirements for obtaining a commercial driver's license.

Relevant Companies

• CHRW (C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.): As a logistics and transportation company, C.H. Robinson may be affected by changes in the availability of qualified commercial drivers due to new licensing requirements.
• FTW (Forterra, Inc.): Involved in the manufacturing and delivery of heavy construction materials, Forterra may rely on drivers with CDLs for its operations, impacting its workforce availability if the bill becomes law.
• UAL (United Airlines Holdings, Inc.): Although primarily an airline, UAL’s freight division may be indirectly impacted by the availability of commercial drivers for cargo services.