An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in commercial drivers, further providing for purpose and construction of chapter, for definitions and for commercial driver's license qualification standards, providing for English proficiency standard, further providing for nonresident CDL, for application for commercial driver's license and for disqualification and providing for annual report; and imposing penalties.

PRINTER'S NO. 1599
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1295
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY J. WARD, BARTOLOTTA, PHILLIPS-HILL, HUTCHINSON,
LANGERHOLC, STEFANO, MARTIN AND BAKER, APRIL 17, 2026
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, APRIL 17, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, in commercial drivers, further providing for
purpose and construction of chapter, for definitions and for
commercial driver's license qualification standards,
providing for English proficiency standard, further providing
for nonresident CDL, for application for commercial driver's
license and for disqualification and providing for annual
report; and imposing penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1602 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subsection to read:
§ 1602. Purpose and construction of chapter.
* * *
(c) Federal law.--To the extent that this chapter conflicts
with Federal law or regulation, the Federal law or regulation
shall prevail. Notice of nonapplicability shall be transmitted
by the department to the Legislative Reference Bureau for
publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania
Bulletin.
Section 2. Section 1603 of Title 75 is amended by adding
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definitions to read:
§ 1603. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Evidence of lawful immigration status." As defined in 49
CFR 383.5 (relating to definitions).
* * *
"Nondomiciled CDL" or "nondomiciled CLP." As defined in 49
CFR 383.5.
* * *
Section 3. Section 1607(a)(3), (6), (7) and (9), (b)(1), (c)
(3) and (d)(1) and (5) of Title 75 are amended and subsections
(a), (c) and (d) are amended by adding paragraphs to read:
§ 1607. Commercial driver's license qualification standards.
(a) Testing.--
* * *
(3) The department may authorize a person, including an
agency of this or another state, an employer, a private
institution, association or driver training school, or a
department, agency or instrumentality of local government to
administer the skills test specified by this section,
provided:
(i) The test is the same as that which would
otherwise be administered by the department.
(ii) The third party has entered into an agreement
with the department.
(iii) The third party administers tests to meet the
English proficiency standard under section 1607.1
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(relating to English proficiency standard).
* * *
(6) The department shall provide applicants for
commercial driver's licenses with the choice of selecting a
knowledge test administered in either a written or an oral
format:
(i) The department shall administer the knowledge
tests in [both the English and Spanish languages] the
English language.
(ii) An applicant requesting the oral [or Spanish]
version of the knowledge test in the English language
must schedule for the examination at a testing site
authorized by the department.
[(iii) The department shall offer alternate testing
formats to avoid discrimination against drivers with
limited literacy or verbal comprehension skills.]
(iv) The alternative of an oral version of the
knowledge test in the English language shall not be
available to persons seeking a hazardous materials
endorsement on a commercial driver's license.
(v) The use of interpreters shall not be permitted.
(7) The department shall accept the results of skills
tests administered in other states and sent electronically by
the other state, provided that the skills test administered
meets Federal testing standards and the individual meets the
English proficiency standard under section 1607.1.
* * *
(8.1) In addition to any other penalty that may be
imposed, a person providing false entries on the application
for a commercial driver learner's permit or commercial
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driver's license or any documentation required for the permit
or license shall be, upon conviction, guilty of a misdemeanor
of the third degree.
(9) [Interpreters shall not be permitted during the
administration of the skills test. Neither the commercial
driver learner's permit holder nor the test examiner may
communicate in a language other than English during the
skills test.] The following apply during the administration
of the skills test:
(i) Interpreters shall not be permitted.
(ii) A test examiner shall affirm that the
commercial driver learner's permit holder meets the
English proficiency standard under section 1607.1.
(b) Waiver of test.--The department shall waive the skills
test specified in this section for a commercial driver's license
applicant:
(1) Holding a valid Class 2, 3 or 4 license who meets
the requirements of Federal regulations and the English
proficiency standard under section 1607.1. If permitted by
Federal regulation, the department may waive the written test
requirement for a commercial driver's license applicant
holding a valid Class 2, 3 or 4 license if the applicant
meets the English proficiency standard.
* * *
(c) Limitations on issuance of license.--
* * *
(3) A commercial driver's license or commercial driver
learner's permit shall not be issued to a person while the
person is subject to a disqualification from driving a
commercial motor vehicle or while the person's driver's
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license is suspended, revoked or canceled in any state; nor
shall a commercial driver's license or commercial driver
learner's permit be issued to a person who has a commercial
driver's license or commercial driver learner's permit issued
by any other state unless the person first surrenders all
such licenses and permits, which shall be returned to the
issuing state for cancellation.
* * *
(5) A person must complete entry-level driver training
consistent with 49 CFR Pt. 380 Subpt. F (relating to entry-
level driver training requirements on and after February 7,
2022) before taking the knowledge test.
(d) Commercial driver learner's permit.--
(1) The department shall issue a commercial driver
learner's permit in accordance with section 1505 (relating to
learners' permits) if the individual meets the English
proficiency standard under section 1607.1.
* * *
(5) An applicant for a commercial driver learner's
permit must have a valid driver's license or commercial
driver's license issued by the department[.] or any other
jurisdiction.
* * *
(6.1) The validity of a commercial driver learner's
permit and commercial driver's license, which is also a
nondomiciled CLP and nondomiciled CDL, shall not exceed the
official expiration date of a person's authorized stay in the
United States or expiration date of evidence of lawful
immigration status.
* * *
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Section 4. Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 1607.1. English proficiency standard.
(a) Requirement.--To operate a commercial motor vehicle in
this Commonwealth, an individual must meet the English
proficiency standard under subsection (b).
(b) Standard defined.--
(1) An individual can read and speak the English
language sufficiently to:
(i) Converse with the general public.
(ii) Understand highway traffic signs and signals in
the English language.
(iii) Respond to official inquiries.
(iv) Make entries on reports and records.
(2) The applicability of an individual's qualification
to speak in the English language shall not apply to hearing-
impaired drivers in accordance with Federal regulation.
(c) Offense defined.--An individual who operates a
commercial motor vehicle and fails to meet the English
proficiency standard under subsection (b) commits a summary
offense and, upon conviction, shall be subject to:
(1) A fine of $500 for a first offense and a
disqualification under section 1611 (relating to
disqualification).
(2) A fine of $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense
and a disqualification under section 1611.
(d) Operating prohibition.--
(1) A driver found to be in violation of this section
shall be prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle
within this Commonwealth.
(2) If the commercial motor vehicle is owned by an
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employer, the employer shall be notified of the location of
the commercial motor vehicle involved in a violation.
(3) If the vehicle is not towed, the employer may only
take possession following presentation of a driver who meets
the requirements of this chapter.
(4) In coordination with the employer, the cargo owner
may be notified and allowed to arrange for the transfer of
the cargo to another vehicle with a driver properly licensed
to operate the commercial motor vehicle, if applicable.
(e) Seizure of registration plate.--A person authorized to
enforce the provisions of this chapter shall seize the
registration plate and impound the commercial motor vehicle if
the individual is in violation of this section and the owner of
the vehicle is the driver. The individual may petition the
department for the return of the registration plate and pay a
processing fee of $500.
(f) Additional penalties.--
(1) An individual convicted under subsection (c) and
found to be operating a commercial motor vehicle in this
Commonwealth commits a misdemeanor.
(2) An individual operating a commercial motor vehicle
in this Commonwealth in violation of this section who causes
serious bodily injury or death commits a misdemeanor of the
third degree.
(g) Employer penalty.--An employer whose driver is convicted
under this section shall be subject to a fine of $3,000 for each
violation.
(h) Contractor penalty.--A prime contractor whose
subcontractor is a driver and convicted under this section shall
be subject to a fine of $3,000 for each violation.
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Section 5. Section 1608 of Title 75 is amended to read:
§ 1608. [Nonresident] Nondomiciled CDL and CLP.
[(a) Issuance of nonresident CDL.--The department may issue
a nonresident CDL to a resident of a foreign jurisdiction. The
following apply:
(1) The word "nondomiciled" shall appear on the face of
the nonresident CDL.
(2) An applicant shall surrender any nonresident CDL
issued by another state.
(3) Prior to issuing a nonresident CDL, the department
shall establish the practical capability of revoking,
suspending or canceling the nonresident CDL and disqualifying
the commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of that
person.
(b) Other provisions applicable.--All provisions of this
chapter applicable to the commercial driver's license for a
resident of this Commonwealth, except the residency requirement,
and all provisions of this title applicable to drivers' licenses
shall be applicable to a nonresident CDL.
(c) Waiver of testing requirement.--The department may issue
a nonresident CDL to a resident of a foreign jurisdiction
without requiring additional testing if the driver possesses a
valid CDL issued by another state or by the foreign jurisdiction
of the driver and the United States Secretary of Transportation
has determined that the commercial motor vehicle testing and
licensing standards in the foreign jurisdiction meet the testing
standards established in Federal regulations.]
(a) Issuance of nondomiciled CDL and CLP.--The department
may issue a nondomiciled CDL and nondomiciled CLP to a resident
of a foreign jurisdiction. The following apply:
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(1) To be eligible for a nondomiciled CDL and
nondomiciled CLP, an applicant domiciled in a foreign
jurisdiction shall:
(i) Have lawful immigration status in the United
States.
(ii) Provide evidence of lawful immigration status.
(2) The word "nondomiciled" shall appear on the face of
the nondomiciled CDL and nondomiciled CLP.
(3) An applicant shall immediately surrender any
nondomiciled CDL or nondomiciled CLP issued by another state
to the department.
(4) Prior to issuing a nondomiciled CDL or nondomiciled
CLP , the individual must apply for a commercial driver's
license under section 1609 (relating to application for
commercial driver's license) or commercial driver learner's
permit under section 1607(d) (relating to commercial driver's
license qualification standards) as determined by the
department, provided that the individual meets the English
proficiency standard under section 1607.1 (relating to
English proficiency standard).
(5) The department may revoke, suspend or cancel the
nondomiciled CDL or nondomiciled CLP and disqualify the
commercial motor vehicle driving privilege of a person.
(6) Under no circumstance shall the department issue a
nondomiciled CDL and nondomiciled CLP with "no name given."
(7) Prior to issuing, transferring, renewing or
upgrading a nondomiciled CLP or nondomiciled CDL, the
department shall comply with the document verification and
retention requirements in 49 CFR 383.73 (relating to state
procedures).
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(8) Prior to issuing, transferring, renewing or
upgrading a nondomiciled CLP or nondomiciled CDL, the
department shall query the Systematic Alien Verification for
Entitlements system to review the evidence of lawful
immigration status of an applicant.
(9) If, after issuing, transferring, renewing or
upgrading a nondomiciled CLP or nondomiciled CDL, the
department receives information from the Federal Government
that the applicant no longer has lawful immigration status in
the United States, the department shall initiate established
department procedures for downgrading the nondomiciled CLP or
nondomiciled CDL.
(10) The department shall require every nondomiciled CLP
or nondomiciled CDL issuance, transfer, renewal or upgrade be
conducted in-person only and may not permit issuance,
transfer, renewal or upgrade by mail or electronic means
(11) The department shall ensure the period of validity
of the nondomiciled CDL and nondomiciled CLP does not exceed
the official expiration date of the applicant's authorized
stay in the United States or expiration date on the
applicant's documentation or one year, whichever is sooner.
The department may not issue a nondomiciled CDL and
nondomiciled CLP with a period of validity longer than one
year.
(12) The department may not issue a nondomiciled CDL or
nondomiciled CLP that is a REAL ID.
(b) Other provisions applicable.--All provisions of this
chapter applicable to the commercial driver's license for a
resident of this Commonwealth, except the residency requirement
unless the evidence of lawful immigration status expires, and
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all provisions of this title applicable to drivers' licenses
shall be applicable to a nondomiciled CDL or nondomiciled CLP,
unless the individual fails to meet the English proficiency
standard.
(c) Waiver of testing requirement.--The department may issue
a nondomiciled CDL and nondomiciled CLP to a resident of a
foreign jurisdiction without requiring additional testing if the
United States Secretary of Transportation has determined that
the commercial motor vehicle testing and licensing standards in
the foreign jurisdiction meet the testing standards established
in Federal regulations, unless the individual fails to meet the
English proficiency standard.
Section 6. Section 1609(a) of Title 75 is amended by adding
paragraphs to read:
§ 1609. Application for commercial driver's license.
(a) Contents of application.--The application for a
commercial driver's license or commercial driver learner's
permit shall include the following:
* * *
(6.1) Evidence of lawful immigration status. The
department shall reject any application without evidence of
lawful immigration status.
(6.2) Self-certification of the applicant's ability to
meet the English proficiency standard.
* * *
Section 7. Section 1611(a) and (j) of Title 75 are amended
to read:
§ 1611. Disqualification.
(a) First violation of certain offenses.--Upon receipt of a
report of conviction, the department shall, in addition to any
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other penalties imposed under this title, disqualify any person
from driving a commercial motor vehicle or school vehicle for a
period of one year for the first violation of:
(1) section 3802 (relating to driving under influence of
alcohol or controlled substance) or former section 3731,
where the person was a commercial driver at the time the
violation occurred;
(2) section 3742 (relating to accidents involving death
or personal injury), where the person was a commercial driver
at the time the violation occurred;
(3) section 3743 (relating to accidents involving damage
to attended vehicle or property), where the person was a
commercial driver at the time the violation occurred;
(4) section 3745 (relating to accidents involving damage
to unattended vehicle or property), where the person was a
commercial driver at the time the violation occurred;
(5) any felony in the commission of which a court
determines a motor vehicle was essentially involved and where
the person was a commercial driver at the time the violation
occurred, except as described in subsection (e);
(6) section 1606(c) (relating to requirement for
commercial driver's license); [or]
(7) any offense wherein the person caused the death of a
person as a result of a motor vehicle accident through the
negligent operation of a commercial motor vehicle, including,
but not limited to, a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 2504
(relating to involuntary manslaughter) or a violation of
section 3732 (relating to homicide by vehicle)[.]; or
(8) section 1607.1 (relating to English proficiency
standard).
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* * *
(j) Updating driving record.--After disqualifying,
suspending, revoking, recalling or canceling a commercial
driving privilege, the department shall update its records to
reflect that action. After disqualifying, suspending, revoking,
recalling or canceling a commercial driving privilege issued by
another state, the department shall notify the licensing
authority of the state which issued the commercial driver's
license or [nonresident commercial driver's license]
nondomiciled CDL and nondomiciled CLP. In addition to any other
records required or authorized to be kept by the department, the
department shall file or make suitable notation in its records
thereof all reports of the conviction of any violation, in any
motor vehicle, of a State or local traffic control law, except a
parking violation, and also for any other report of conviction
or report of test refusal that results in disqualification
pursuant to this chapter, of a person who was a commercial
driver at the time of the violation that are received by the
department from any court or administrative body of the
Commonwealth, another state or the Federal Government. Such
reports or suitable notations may be stored and admitted into
evidence by the department as provided in section 1516(b)
(relating to department records). Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, no record maintained by the department in
accordance with the provisions of this subsection may be
expunged by order of court.
* * *
Section 8. Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 1623. Annual report.
The department shall provide the chairperson and minority
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chairperson of the Transportation Committee of the Senate and
the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Transportation
Committee of the House of Representatives with an annual report
that mirrors the Annual Program Review conducted by the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Section 9. This act shall take effect as follows:
(1) The following provisions shall take effect
immediately:
The amendment of 75 Pa.C.S. § 1607(a)(6).
This section.
(2) The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60
days.
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