LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – This week, the Arkansas legislature passed HB 1745, a significant piece of legislation aimed at enhancing English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers. The bill, which was unanimously approved by the Senate and passed with modifications by the House, seeks to address a growing concern regarding fraudulent foreign commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).
Sponsored by Rep. R.J. Hawk (R-Bryant) and Sen. Kim Hammer (R-Benton), HB 1745 was prompted by alarming discoveries in 2023, when the Texas Department of Public Safety uncovered fraudulent Mexican commercial driver’s licenses obtained through criminal enterprises. These illicit licenses allowed unqualified individuals to operate commercial vehicles within the United States, raising serious safety concerns.
“Today is a great day for the state of Arkansas,” Hawk stated following the bill's passage. “After collaborating with the Arkansas Highway Police, Arkansas State Police, Attorney General and the Arkansas Trucking Association, I’m confident that we will be able to successfully crack down on counterfeit CDLs. Making our Arkansas highways safer has been the objective throughout this process. My hope is that the federal government will take notice of what Arkansas is doing and take appropriate actions to ensure our highways are safe.”
The new legislation requires that individuals presenting a non-domestic CDL must also provide a valid work permit or work visa issued by the U.S. government. This requirement is designed to validate the identity and driving credentials of foreign drivers. Notably, the English language proficiency requirement, unique to Arkansas, empowers law enforcement agencies across the state to enforce existing federal regulations more effectively.
Shannon Newton, President of the Arkansas Trucking Association, emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, “Training standards, medical qualifications and roadside enforcement of driver qualifications and equipment inspections are largely governed by federal regulations. All of these collectively establish essential qualifications that all drivers must meet before operating a commercial vehicle. The men and women who meet these qualifications deliver for our communities, and the standards should be applied to all drivers.”
Newton further noted, “Today’s legislation affirms Arkansas’ commitment to use the tools available to us to enhance road safety under the constraints of superseding international agreements, federal rules and the provision of free-flowing interstate commerce. Our goal has always been to provide our law enforcement the tools to identify and stop those circumventing the system, obtaining fraudulent credentials and operating on our state’s roadways.”
In addition to Arkansas' legislative efforts, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has also been vocal about the pressing issues facing the trucking industry. On April 10, 2025, ATA President Chris Spear urged Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to focus on three critical areas: entry-level driver training, English language proficiency, and the issue of drivers entering the U.S. from Mexico and overstaying their visas.
Spear emphasized that enhanced enforcement and resource prioritization could significantly improve the safety and efficiency of the nation’s supply chain. He stated, “While we believe the Entry Level Driver Training program has made a significant, beneficial impact, more work can be done to ensure the integrity of the program.”
Concerns were raised regarding the Training Provider Registry (TPR), with ATA claiming it is insufficiently robust to shield prospective drivers from fraudulent training entities. “ATA believes that these providers serve as a venue for individuals to obtain a CDL simply by paying a fee, circumventing the structured curriculum established by ELDT,” Spear explained.
Despite some progress, the ATA noted that only four training providers have been removed from the TPR since 2023, highlighting the need for increased monitoring and enforcement actions. “We believe FMCSA’s safety monitoring, auditing, and enforcement actions need to increase to ensure that unlicensed and unqualified entities are immediately removed from the TPR,” Spear added.
Moreover, the ATA's concerns regarding the English proficiency standard stem from FMCSA enforcement memorandum #MC-ECE-2016-006 dated June 15, 2016. Spear urged immediate action to ensure consistent enforcement of this provision during roadside inspections and on-site reviews.
In addition to these issues, Spear pointed out the ongoing problem of cabotage, where U.S. trucking companies unlawfully employ B-1 visa drivers to transport domestic freight within the United States. “Not only is cabotage illegal, but it can also have significant economic and labor impacts on law-abiding motor carriers operating in the United States,” he said.
As both Arkansas and the ATA take steps to improve safety and compliance within the trucking industry, the focus remains on collaboration among local and federal agencies. Hawk concluded by expressing his commitment to work alongside law enforcement to ensure the safety of all Arkansans, stating, “I will always stand with our law enforcement to help keep all Arkansans safe.”
With the passage of HB 1745 and ongoing advocacy from the ATA, Arkansas is positioning itself as a leader in addressing issues related to commercial driving regulations. The hope is that these efforts will not only enhance safety on state highways but also serve as a model for other states grappling with similar challenges.
