Arkansas and Oklahoma enacted CDL English proficiency laws in 2025. Alabama, Indiana, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming followed in 2026, according to Landline Media. Missouri's HB2741 would fine drivers $1,000 and impose up to 90 days in jail for violations, with carriers facing $3,000 per offense. Iowa's SF2426 would fine carriers up to $10,000. Tennessee's SB1748 passed the Senate and allows officers to place non-proficient drivers out of service during safety inspections. Separately, FMCSA removed nearly 3,000 CDL training providers from the Training Provider Registry in December 2025, with another 4,000 placed on notice, bringing total enforcement actions to over 7,000 providers.
Operator takeaway
The CDL workforce is contracting from two directions: English proficiency laws are disqualifying existing drivers, and the training pipeline is shrinking as FMCSA shuts down substandard schools. Budget for longer hiring timelines and higher compensation to retain qualified CDL operators.