English Proficiency Should Be Nonnegotiable for Driver’s Licenses — Here’s Why

In the wake of a devastating Florida truck crash that took three lives, the fault lines in our immigration and driver-licensing policies came into stark relief. Harjinder Singh, an Indian national who entered the United States illegally, failed English-language and road-sign comprehension tests in a post-crash federal assessment—correctly answering only 2 of 12 English questions and recognizing a mere 1 of 4 road signs. Yet he legally obtained commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) in Washington and California, two of the growing number of states that issue licenses without requiring proof of lawful immigration status.

This tragedy underscores what ProEnglish has long warned: driver’s licenses should not be awarded to individuals unable to communicate in English and understand essential traffic information. But the problem runs deeper than one man or one accident. It is not only about driver safety—it is about the absence of a consistent national language policy. The solution is clear: Congress must codify English as the official language of all government operations.

States That Issue Licenses Regardless of Immigration Status

Contrary to the assumption that driver’s licenses are limited to legal residents, a coalition of 19 states plus the District of Columbia currently allow individuals without lawful immigration status to obtain licenses. These include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and D.C. Many of these licenses are labeled “drive-only,” but they still put unqualified drivers behind the wheel and create inconsistent standards across the nation.

Why Official English Matters

Without codified Official English, government agencies—from motor vehicle departments to courts—are free to provide services in multiple languages, often at taxpayer expense and sometimes at the expense of safety. Codifying English as the language of all government operations would establish one clear national standard. Every driver’s license test, every government form, every critical instruction would be uniform and accessible, closing the loopholes that allowed Singh to obtain a CDL despite his inability to understand English.

English is already the common language of commerce, education, and civic life. Codification would not change that reality—it would simply enshrine it into law, ensuring that no state or agency undermines it for political expediency. And Americans strongly agree: a 2025 Rasmussen / ProEnglish poll found that 73% of likely voters support making English the official language of the United States.

President Trump’s Executive Order: A Welcome Step

President Trump has already taken a bold and historic step with Executive Order 14224, which makes English the official language of the U.S. government. ProEnglish welcomed this action because it reinforced what most Americans already believe: a shared language is essential to unity, efficiency, and public safety.

Yet executive orders are temporary and subject to reversal by the next administration. What one president can sign, another can undo. That is why Congress must follow through by codifying Official English into law through both Senator Moreno’s Bill S.542, and Rep. Aderholt’s House Bill H.R.1772. Passing these companion bills will ensure the policy is permanent, binding, and uniform across all levels of government.

Policy Solutions

1. Codify English as the official language of all government operations. Congress should pass S.542 and H.R.1772 to enshrine Official English into law.
2. Build on Executive leadership. EO 14224 was a welcome and historic step, but legislation is necessary to protect it from future reversal.
3. Mandate English-only testing for all driver’s licenses. Both standard and commercial applicants should demonstrate proficiency in English to qualify.
4. Require proof of legal presence for every license. The federal government should withhold highway funding from states that issue licenses to undocumented individuals.
5. Enforce federal CDL English standards. Regulations already exist, but enforcement is inconsistent. Codification would strengthen compliance.

Closing Thoughts

The tragic Florida crash is a sobering reminder that licensing without English proficiency is not compassion—it is negligence. Without a national English requirement, every state makes its own rules—so an unsafe driver may be barred in one state but licensed in another, putting everyone at risk once they cross state lines.

President Trump’s Executive Order 14224 was a welcome and historic step. But to truly protect American lives, taxpayers, and public safety, Congress must codify Official English into law through S.542 and H.R.1772. Executive orders may come and go. Laws endure. The American people are already on board: 73% of voters want English to be the official language of the United States. Lawmakers should listen to the people and act.