Pennsylvania lawmakers say unsafe truck drivers don’t belong on the road.
Several bills moving through the statehouse would crack down on unqualified drivers, shady CDL schools and companies that ignore safety rules.
CDL mills under fire
One bill targets so-called “CDL mills” that collect tuition but fail to properly train future truck drivers.
The House Transportation Committee approved SB1294. The bill would tighten training rules and hit illegal schools much harder.
Transportation Committee Chairman Ed Neilson, D-Philadelphia, said earning a CDL isn’t easy. He highlighted that applicants often seek assistance from third parties.
“Applicants must study a lot of different educational materials and then successfully pass a written test and a driver’s test,” Neilson said. “Residents should have the confidence that when they see an advertisement for a CDL school for its training assistance, it is a properly licensed CDL school that will teach them the correct way to operate a commercial motor vehicle.”
He said the bill would hold illegal schools accountable instead of letting them take people’s money.
The Department of Education could shut down truck driver schools that break the rules.
Maximum fines would jump from $2,500 to $25,000. Schools could still challenge violations through a hearing.
The bill now awaits further action in the House.
English-only CDL testing
Another bill targets English proficiency.
The Senate approved a bill requiring that every CDL test in Pennsylvania be administered only in English.
Road tests are already in English. SB1295 would also make written exams English-only.
CDL manuals could still be available in other languages.
Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, said the bill closes loopholes that let unqualified drivers get behind the wheel.
She pointed to a deadly crash in Indiana. The incident involved a truck driver with a Pennsylvania-issued non-domiciled CDL.
Ward said the bill is not aimed at legal immigrant drivers who meet safety standards.
“We are embracing immigrant commercial drivers who are lawfully present and can safely operate a heavy truckload around cars, bicycles and pedestrians,” Ward said.
The bill is now in the House Transportation Committee.
Anyone operating heavy commercial vehicles on PA highways must be proficient in English to drive safely, so the Senate passed legislation to make sure all CDL testing is done in English – and to end reckless, illegitimate CDL mills. pic.twitter.com/ujeugbfoQZ
— PA Senate Republicans (@PASenateGOP) May 29, 2026
Tougher penalties
Another bill would hit harder for ignoring out-of-service orders.
A first violation could mean losing CDL privileges for one year. A second offense could end a trucking career for life.
Companies that knowingly use truck drivers who don’t meet the rules could face fines of up to $3,000.
Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Bridgeville, said no one should ignore safety laws and put people at risk.
“Driving commercial vehicles is a responsibility not to be taken lightly, and obtaining a CDL is a privilege that should only be awarded to those who meet the strongest standards,” Robinson said.
SB1296 is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Bigger consequences after deadly crashes
Lawmakers also want tougher penalties when careless driving takes a life.
The Senate approved a bill that would raise the maximum fine from $500 to $2,500 for causing unintentional death.
Drivers could also lose their license for up to two years.
Ward said a life should never be worth only a small fine.
SB1286 now awaits action in the House Judiciary Committee. LL
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