English-only CDL knowledge tests: which states, since when
More states now give the CDL knowledge tests in English only, and the US Department of Transportation has announced a plan to make that the rule everywhere. Here is what we could confirm, with dates and sources.
| Where | What changed | Since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | License exams in English only, oral tests included; translation not allowed | 2026-02-06 | Florida licensing agency release, 2026-01-30 |
| Texas | CDL and commercial learner permit exams in English only; interpreters not allowed | 2026-06-01 | KBTX news report of the state notice, 2026-06-01 |
| Illinois | CDL knowledge tests in English only; an audio version is available | in force when checked | Illinois Secretary of State, CDL page |
| Nationwide | US Department of Transportation announced a plan for English-only CDL testing in every state; the report did not give the rule, its start date, or whether it faces a court case | announced 2026-02-20 | CDLLife report, 2026 |
States that still listed other languages
When we checked, California listed English, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Russian and Spanish; New York listed English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian, with HazMat in English only. Several other states list Spanish or more. The state table shows every state's languages as we found them.
What this means for your study
Examlane's questions are in English, the language of the test in most states. If English is not your first language, practice reading the questions slowly and look up any word you do not know: the test uses the same terms as the manual.