House, Senate Unveil Bill to Streamline CDL Process
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A bill meant to address concerns about the trucking industry’s driver shortage was recently introduced in Congress.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Jan. 24 unveiled the Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act. This bicameral push by transportation policymakers mirrors a legislative effort from the previous session of Congress.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) is a co-lead sponsor of the bill with Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).
“Wyoming relies on America’s truck drivers to deliver goods to folks and small businesses throughout our rural state,” said Lummis, a member of the commercial transportation policy committee. “Streamlining commercial driver’s licensing and cutting this burdensome red tape will ensure the people in the Cowboy State can rely on deliveries so they get the resources they need.”
Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) are co-lead sponsors of the LICENSE Act.
Kelly, a member of the committee on highway policy, said, “Arizona’s economy relies on the commercial drivers who work hard to keep goods moving across the nation. I’m glad to work with my colleague Sen. Lummis to cut red tape, support the trucking industry, and ensure the federal government is doing everything it can to strengthen our economy and lower costs for families in Arizona.”
Specifically, the bill would allow state driver’s licensing agencies to use certain third-party testers to administer [commercial driver license] knowledge tests. The bill also would allow states to administer driving skills tests to certain out-of-state applicants. The measure is based on guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
America’s truckers fuel the Cowboy State, delivering products to even the most rural parts of Wyoming. I introduced the LICENSE Act with @SenMarkKelly to cut red tape so American truckers can quickly and safely get where they need to go. pic.twitter.com/1HrtOqDo3Y — Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) January 24, 2025
Lead sponsors of the bill in the House included Republican Reps.Darin LaHood of Illinois, Troy Balderson of Ohio, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, and Democrat Reps. Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jim Costa and Josh Harder of California.
“Illinois and America’s truck drivers are essential to securing our supply chains and supporting our economy,” said LaHood, a member of the tax-writing Ways and Means panel. “Unfortunately, we are experiencing an unprecedented shortage of qualified truck drivers because of bureaucratic red tape.”
“The LICENSE Act will streamline the process for future commercial drivers to get their licenses while maintaining high safety standards,” he added. “This common-sense legislation will strengthen Illinois’ economy and support supply chains while allowing companies to hire qualified drivers in a timely manner.”
American Trucking Associations is among freight industry stakeholders endorsing the bill.
Horvath
“When the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provided flexibility on several regulatory requirements during the COVID-19 public health emergency, drivers and motor carriers gained new operational efficiencies without compromising safety,” Dan Horvath, ATA’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs and safety policy, said in a statement that accompanied the bill’s introduction. “The LICENSE Act leverages the lessons learned during the pandemic and makes permanent two common-sense waivers that were reissued numerous times since 2020 to reduce administrative burdens for Americans pursuing rewarding careers in the trucking industry.”
“The incorporation of these waivers into law by enactment of the LICENSE Act,” Horvath explained, “will provide certainty to the trucking industry and strengthen our supply chain by permanently removing these unnecessary bureaucratic barriers. This represents an important step toward making it more efficient and simpler for drivers to obtain their CDLs while keeping our roadways safe.”
Wyoming Trucking Association also backed the bill.
The LICENSE Act would make a common-sense change to streamline the arduous process for obtaining a CDL, removing unnecessary burdens on our drivers and supply chain.
Wyoming Trucking Association CEO Kevin Hawley
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“During the past several years that these waivers have been in effect, they have proven that they strike the appropriate balance between maintaining high safety standards while making it easier for aspiring truck drivers to obtain their CDL,” WTA President and CEO Kevin Hawley said. “That’s why [U.S. Department of Transportation] reissued them multiple times throughout the pandemic. Now it is time to provide certainty to the trucking industry by making these effective waivers permanent.
“The LICENSE Act would make a common-sense change to streamline the arduous process for obtaining a CDL, removing unnecessary burdens on our drivers and supply chain.”
The House and Senate measures were referred to committees of jurisdiction. Consideration of the bills has yet to be announced.
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