Commercial driver license applicants in Texas must now complete all written commercial driver license and commercial learner permit knowledge exams in English following a change announced by the Texas Department of Public Safety that took effect June 1.
The change eliminates Spanish-language versions of commercial driver license and commercial learner permit knowledge examinations and prohibits the use of interpreters during testing. Previously, Texas offered commercial driver license knowledge exams in both English and Spanish. The commercial driver license skills test, which includes the pre-trip inspection, basic control skills and road test, has always been administered in English, according to the announcement.
The testing change follows a series of state and federal actions related to English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, according to announcements published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Governor’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The change aligns Texas testing procedures with federal English language proficiency requirements established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and is intended to help ensure commercial drivers can communicate effectively while operating on public roadways, according to the June 1 announcement.
In May 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced updated federal enforcement guidance directing regulators to strengthen enforcement of longstanding English language proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers. Under the guidance, commercial drivers who fail to meet federal English language proficiency standards may be placed out of service, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Texas expanded enforcement efforts in September 2025 when Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to adopt what he described as a “zero-tolerance” approach toward English language proficiency violations involving commercial drivers operating on Texas roadways. Abbott also directed the agency to stop issuing intrastate commercial driver licenses to applicants unable to communicate sufficiently in English, according to a Sept. 4 announcement published by the Governor’s Office.
Federal regulations require commercial drivers to read and speak English well enough to converse with the public, understand traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries and complete required reports and records, according to regulations published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety, along with other certified commercial vehicle inspectors, will continue conducting English language proficiency evaluations during roadside inspections, traffic stops and weigh station inspections. Drivers who fail to meet the required proficiency standards may be placed out of service, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Several West Texas organizations offer English as a Second Language programs for adults seeking to improve their language skills for employment, education and daily life. Prosperity Employment Outreach recently launched a 10-week workplace, focused ESL program designed to help participants strengthen English communication skills used in job interviews, workplace interactions and career advancement. The program is taught by a former college instructor who speaks four languages and has previous experience teaching English as a Second Language, according to Prosperity Employment Outreach program information.
Additional ESL resources are available through Casa de Amigos, which offers English-language instruction and adult education programs for area residents, according to information published by the organization. Midland College and Odessa College also provide ESL classes through their Adult Education and Literacy programs, according to information published by the colleges.
Applicants scheduled to take commercial driver license or commercial learner permit knowledge exams after June 1 can access updated study materials and the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver’s Handbook free of charge through the Texas Department of Public Safety website, according to the agency.