Starting today, some drivers are losing their licenses. Indiana is moving faster than other states with this new law.
Indiana is the first state to restrict CDL licenses based on English skills and where a person lives. These changes start on Wednesday. Indiana’s lawmakers passed a new law, signed by Governor Mike Braun, that requires drivers to speak English and limits CDLs for people who don’t live in Indiana. This rule started on April 1.
The law, called House Bill 1200, makes Indiana stricter than any other state regarding English and residency rules for CDL drivers. Gary Langston, who leads the Indiana Motor Truck Association, said the state sent letters to about 2,000 CDL holders who don’t live in Indiana. The letters said their licenses would be canceled on April 1. The law says licenses are taken away 15 days after the state sends a letter. Because the first letters went out in mid-March, licenses were canceled on April 1.
Langston said the state made the list from its records. Some people who received letters may already be permanent residents or citizens. The law allows people who lose their license to apply for a new one. It does not block them from trying again. Langston said there are exceptions for people with H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visas. But unless they meet those requirements and don’t live in Indiana, they need a different CDL. Non-domiciled means people from other countries or other states.
Indiana law now says CDL drivers must be able to speak English well enough to communicate. If someone drives without a valid CDL, they can be fined $5,000. A business that hires that person can be fined $50,000. Drivers can try to keep driving even after losing their license, but they risk getting caught, Langston said. Langston said other states are also working on similar laws. Indiana moved first because its 2026 legislative session is already done. Iowa is also making progress on this issue. Langston said there was almost no opposition as the laws passed through the legislature. Only a few people voted against them.
Indiana’s English rule is stricter than the current federal rule. The FMCSA and Department of Transportation are also cracking down on drivers who don’t speak English and on companies that break the rules. The Department of Transportation plans to require all CDL tests to be administered in English, just as Indiana does now. “I’m glad this new rule will help make our highways safer,” Langston said. “This has been a problem for a long time, and I’m thankful it’s finally being fixed at both the state and federal levels.”
