Daililah's Law Passes Out of the Transportation Committee
- CVTA Staff
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Earlier today, after a full committee markup, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted to approve H.R. 5688, also known as "Dalilah's Law". The legislation represents a key step in strengthening the integrity of the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) system and validates all of the critical work that CVTA's national membership has advocated for. Led by Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC), Dalilah's Law now proceeds to a full House vote (date forthcoming), underscoring Congress's ongoing commitment to qualification standards, enforcement consistency, and roadway safety.
The committee's review of the bill highlighted a key issue in federal transportation policy: whether current CDL standards are adequate or if enforcement gaps have allowed unqualified drivers onto the roads. Congressional members broadly agreed that roadway safety, particularly drivers' ability to read signage and interact with law enforcement, remains a significant concern, with disagreement based on the revocation of non-domiciled CDL holders.
The bill introduces measures to enhance accountability and standardize the CDL system:
Requires all CDL knowledge and skills tests to be administered in English, and ensures English language proficiency standards apply to all CDL holders — not just a subset.
Mandates that drivers who fail to meet proficiency standards be placed out of service, and requires motor carriers to be promptly notified when a driver's CDL has been revoked, suspended, or is otherwise invalid.
Requires states to verify work authorization before issuing CDLs, with noncompliant states risking the withholding of federal highway funds.
Cracks down on CDL mills and substandard training operations that undermine the quality and credibility of professional driver training.
Directly addresses a long-standing gap in the Training Provider Registry. Under Section 8, the Secretary of Transportation must overhaul the self-certification process within 18 months, requiring all registered providers to demonstrate compliance not only at initial registration but continuously throughout their certification period. Providers that fail to recertify face removal.
Much of what Dalilah's Law codifies is already in effect through executive action and FMCSA rulemaking. The legislation's primary contribution is permanence, as statutes cannot be easily reversed by subsequent administrations. For CVTA members, this distinction is important. Consistent enforcement of training and licensing standards depends on a stable legal foundation that endures changes in administration and agency leadership.
CVTA has expressed support for the legislation as part of a broader effort to ensure that CDL standards are meaningfully enforced and consistently applied. Read CVTA Statement.
For CVTA members, advancing Dalilah's Law reflects a broader shift toward enforcement-driven policy. While federal standards for training, testing, and licensure already exist, the main challenge is ensuring consistent verification and enforcement across jurisdictions. Aligning CDL issuance with Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements and maintaining the integrity of the Training Provider Registry (TPR) remain essential to this effort. CVTA will continue working with policymakers to ensure implementation remains focused on safety, accountability, and the long-term professionalization of the industry. Transportation and Infrastructure Press Release on Dalilah's Law Approval | U.S. Representative
