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HB 1817

Driver Licenses - As introduced, requires an enforcement officer to issue an out-of-service order to a driver issued a commercial driver license if the officer determines during a safety inspection that the driver is unable to read and speak the English language in violation of federal requirements for commercial driver license holders; applies penalties against employers of such drivers. - Amends TCA Title 55 and Title 65, Chapter 15.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Lowell Russell

Tennessee bill requiring officers to remove non-English-speaking CDL drivers from service during inspections and penalizing their employers for federal language requirement violations.

Comp. SB subst.
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Bill Summary · HB 1817

Legislative bill overview

HB 1817 requires enforcement officers to issue out-of-service orders to commercial drivers who cannot read and speak English during safety inspections, citing federal CDL requirements. The bill also establishes penalties against employers who employ such drivers.

Why is this important

Commercial driver licensing standards directly affect highway safety and are federally regulated. This bill enforces existing federal English language proficiency requirements for CDL holders, which have been established to ensure driver comprehension of road signs, safety regulations, and communication with law enforcement and other drivers.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal vs. state authority: The bill claims to enforce federal requirements, but the extent to which Tennessee can independently penalize employers for federal non-compliance may face legal challenges regarding federal-state regulatory overlap.
  • Implementation clarity: The bill doesn't specify assessment methodology for determining English proficiency—oral testing standards, written exams, or officer discretion could create inconsistent enforcement and potential discrimination concerns.
  • Employer liability exposure: Penalizing employers for driver language abilities, which may have been certified at the federal level during initial CDL issuance, could create ambiguous legal liability and operational complications for transportation companies.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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