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Bill

SB 164

require that any holder of a commercial driver license in this state must be proficient in the English language, and to provide a penalty therefor.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Goodwin and 6 co-sponsors

South Dakota bill mandates English language proficiency for all commercial driver license holders, passed Senate, now in House review with undefined testing standards and enforcement mechanisms.

Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-11 S.J. 518
#commercialtrucking #driverlicense #lawenforcement #motorvehicles #penalty #promulgationofrules
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Bill Summary · SB 164

Legislative bill overview

SB 164 requires all commercial driver license (CDL) holders in South Dakota to demonstrate proficiency in the English language, with unspecified penalties for non-compliance. The bill passed the South Dakota Senate 29-5 and is currently scheduled for a House Transportation Committee hearing.

Why is this important

Commercial drivers operate large vehicles on public roads and must communicate with law enforcement, dispatchers, and other road users. Language proficiency standards could affect hiring practices, licensing requirements, and potentially the pool of available CDL drivers in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what "proficient in English" means—no standardized test, score threshold, or assessment method is defined, creating enforcement and fairness challenges
  • Impact on workforce: South Dakota's commercial driving industry may rely on non-native English speakers; this could reduce available drivers and increase costs for trucking companies and consumers
  • Existing federal standards: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration already has English communication requirements for CDL holders; the state-level addition's necessity and overlap with federal rules is unclear
  • Implementation concerns: The bill references penalties without detailing how proficiency would be tested, who administers tests, or how existing CDL holders would be grandfathered or retested

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

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