Dalilah’s Law: Proposed Bill for National English Standards

Dalilah’s Law: A Hard Line on Language Requirements

A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate this week, known as Dalilah’s Law, is sending ripples through the CDL training industry. The bill is named after a 5-year-old girl killed in a crash involving a driver who reportedly could not communicate with first responders or read critical warning signs.

What the bill proposes:

Mandatory Oral Exams: A move away from simple written tests to an oral proficiency interview conducted by state examiners.

Roadside Testing: Giving DOT officers a clear rubric to determine if a driver’s English is sufficient for safety.

Recertification: Requiring existing drivers to prove proficiency during their next CDL renewal.

While the bill is still in the committee phase, it has strong bipartisan support and could drastically change the entry requirements for the CDL career path later this year.