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New Truck Drivers: Understanding the Dalilah Law

In 2024, five-year-old Dalilah Coleman was sitting in her family’s vehicle while they were stopped in traffic on a California highway. Partap Singh, who had a California-issued CDL but was reportedly an Indian citizen, slammed into the vehicle with his big rig, traveling at approximately 60 mph. The child suffered traumatic brain injuries, a damaged skull, and will suffer debilitating conditions for the rest of her life. After bringing attention to the horrific incident during his 2026 State of the Union address, President Trump issued an executive order requiring all CDL holders to be fluent in English.

Indiana Sen. Jim Banks promptly introduced Dalilah’s Law in the U.S. Senate, a bill that would prevent non-citizens from acquiring a U.S. CDL, revoke those issued to illegal immigrants, and enforce English-language testing. Dalilah’s Law, currently making its way through Congress, would significantly alter trucking industry regulations.

Current CDL Requirements

A version of Dalilah’s Law recently passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation. If the bill passes by majority vote in both the House and the Senate, it will head to the president’s desk. While it will make sweeping changes that are designed to make America’s roadways safer, the following CDL requirements are not expected to undergo regulatory change:

  • Meet state age requirements.
  • Pay CDL fees and obtain a temporary CDL permit.
  • Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) holders must operate under supervision for 14 days.
  • Pass the required CDL endorsement written knowledge and vision tests.
  • Schedule and pass a CDL on-road driving skills test.

What the Dalilah Law Changes

Following a string of horrific and fatal truck-involved incidents, the U.S. Department of Transportation recognized that the English fluency requirement to possess a CDL was not being strictly enforced. It remained unclear whether the ability to read U.S. signs was a significant factor in these and other accidents. That being said, many industry leaders and lawmakers see these stipulations as a commonsense requirement that supports safety. These are expected changes if Dalilah’s Law reaches the White House.

Required Citizenship or Visa Holder

To operate a commercial motor vehicle, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful visa holder. This means lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) and those with temporary visas may be eligible to go to truck driving school and take the CDL tests. Those with overstay visas or who enter the country illegally cannot apply for or maintain a CDL.

English Reading Comprehension

The English fluency element may be the most impactful on the trucking industry. When applying for a commercial license, applicants must demonstrate they can pass all testing in English. The law would eliminate bilingual test materials and expect drivers to be able to accurately read all English road signs.

The English comprehension component would likely trigger a wave of recertifications. Foreign-born CDL holders would likely be required to demonstrate English proficiency within 180 days. Upwards of 4 million CDL holders were not born in the U.S. Given the already long wait times at DMVs across the country, this component could prove challenging for individual truckers and the freight-hauling sector.

Already Have a CDL? Here’s What to Expect

If you have a CDL, you will have 180 days to undergo the recertification process. Truckers who fail to recertify will have their CDLs revoked for non-compliance. Those who entered the country illegally or drove a truck unlawfully could receive lifetime bans. Legitimate truck drivers would be well served to stay in the loop on changes in the trucking industry and licensing, as missing deadlines or regulatory changes can result in fines or unnecessary sidelining.

The Trucking Industry Is Changing

TSI recognizes the need to stay aware of the evolving regulations and their impact on CDL holders and the trucking sector as a whole. You can visit our blog for more industry updates.

If you’re new to the trucking industry, you can sign up for our six-week paid CDL training program. In this program, you’ll receive three days of in-classroom teaching, where we’ll cover current laws and regulations for CDL holders, followed by several weeks of on-the-road training, where you’ll be paired with an experienced trucker.