The Dalilah Law

Key Points

• This bill would prohibit states from issuing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or holder of specific work visas (E-2 treaty investors, H-2A agricultural workers, or H-2B temporary workers). This would remove CDL eligibility from many immigrants currently allowed to hold them.
• All CDL exams — including knowledge tests, skills tests, and any other required tests — must be taken in English only. States would no longer be allowed to offer these exams in other languages. Drivers must also demonstrate English proficiency to obtain or keep their license.
• Every current CDL holder in the country would have to go through a recertification process within 180 days. They'd need to prove their citizenship or legal status, show English proficiency, and confirm they passed all CDL exams in English. Those who fail or don't recertify would lose their license.
• Anyone caught operating a commercial vehicle without qualifying legal status would face a lifetime ban from driving commercial vehicles in the United States — a permanent career-ending penalty.
• States that don't comply face an extremely severe penalty: the federal government would withhold ALL transportation funding — not just CDL-related money, but any funding the Secretary is authorized to provide. This creates enormous financial pressure on states to enforce these requirements.

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