The Dalilah Law restricts commercial driver's license eligibility to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and specific visa holders while mandating English-language testing and recertification requirements for all drivers.
Jim Banks
Senator
IN
The Dalilah Law restricts the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and holders of specific work visas. It mandates English proficiency for all applicants and requires states to recertify current CDL holders to maintain federal transportation funding. Failure to comply with these eligibility and testing requirements will result in the withholding of federal funds for non-compliant states.
The Dalilah Law: New Federal Mandate Requires English-Only CDL Testing and Proof of Citizenship Within 180 Days
The Dalilah Law introduces a massive shift in who can sit behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle. Under this bill, states are strictly prohibited from issuing a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to anyone who isn't a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a holder of a very specific set of work visas (specifically E-ii, H-ii(a), or H-ii(b)). If a driver is caught operating a commercial vehicle without meeting these specific immigration requirements, the bill mandates a lifetime disqualification from commercial driving. This isn't just about new applicants; it’s an immediate overhaul of the current workforce.
The 180-Day Dash for Drivers
One of the most aggressive parts of this bill is the recertification clock. Every single person currently holding a CDL—whether they’ve been driving for twenty years or twenty days—must recertify within 180 days of the law’s enactment. To keep their license, drivers have to prove their citizenship or eligible visa status and demonstrate English proficiency as defined in 49 C.F.R. 391.11(b)(2). If a driver fails to recertify or can’t prove they passed their original tests in English, the state is required to revoke their license immediately. For a local delivery driver or a long-haul trucker, this means a sudden trip to the DMV with a mountain of paperwork to prove they still have the right to do their job.
No English, No License
The bill effectively ends multilingual testing for commercial drivers. It explicitly states that any new CDL issued after the law passes must be administered in English only. Furthermore, states are barred from issuing licenses to anyone who isn't proficient in the language. For many qualified drivers who may be more comfortable testing in their native language but are otherwise safe operators, this creates a significant barrier to entry. This change doesn't just affect the drivers; it hits the logistics companies and small businesses that rely on a diverse pool of labor to keep goods moving through the supply chain.
High Stakes for State Funding
This isn't just a suggestion for states; it’s a mandate with a heavy price tag. If a state fails to complete the 180-day recertification of all its drivers, or if it continues to offer CDL tests in languages other than English, the Secretary of Transportation is required to withhold all federal transportation funding. For state governments, this could mean losing millions of dollars earmarked for highway repairs and infrastructure projects. This creates a high-pressure environment where states must choose between a logistical nightmare of rapid recertification or losing the budget they need to keep their roads safe for everyone.