Iowa Lawmakers Debate Trucking Company Penalties in CDL Bill

Proposed legislation would require English proficiency exam for commercial drivers, with fines for non-compliant companies and drivers.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:50am

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring an 18-wheeler truck's shape repeated in overlapping geometric waves of brown, red, and grey, conveying the fast-paced, complex issues surrounding road safety regulations in the trucking industry.A fractured, kinetic illustration captures the debate over proposed penalties for trucking companies that hire non-English proficient drivers.Charles City Today

Iowa lawmakers are considering a bill that would require truck drivers to pass an English proficiency exam to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) in the state. The legislation would also impose penalties on trucking companies that hire drivers who are not proficient in English, as well as fines for the drivers themselves. The bill has sparked debate, with some lawmakers arguing the focus should be on the companies exploiting non-English speakers rather than the drivers.

Why it matters

This bill aims to address concerns over road safety and enforcement of federal regulations around English proficiency for commercial drivers. However, critics argue the penalties unfairly target drivers rather than the companies that may be taking advantage of them.

The details

Under the proposed legislation, which has passed the Iowa House and Senate, trucking companies could face a simple misdemeanor for hiring a driver who is not proficient in English. Drivers found to be not proficient could also be fined up to $1,000 and charged with a serious misdemeanor. Some lawmakers, like Rep. Angel Ramirez, D-Cedar Rapids, believe the focus should be more on penalizing the trucking companies rather than the drivers.

  • The Iowa House and Senate have passed the legislation, but since the House amended the Senate's version, the bill will go back to the Senate for another vote before reaching the Governor's desk.

The players

Rep. Charley Thomson

A Republican representative from Charles City, Iowa, who said the bill allows Iowa to enforce federal road safety standards if the federal government fails to do so.

Rep. Angel Ramirez

A Democratic representative from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who argued the penalties should focus more on trucking companies that exploit non-English speaking drivers rather than the drivers themselves.

Marcus Coleman

The father of Daliah Coleman, who has been part of the push for 'Dalilah's Law' at the federal level, and who said more oversight is needed for those assigning drivers, as low pay rates can incentivize the hiring of less qualified drivers.

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What they’re saying

“If in the future there, the feds resume their noncompliance with their own laws, we're in a position to enforce it in Iowa.”

— Rep. Charley Thomson, Republican Representative

“It's not the drivers that we should be as concerned about. It's the trucking carriers that are exploiting English second language learners and not upholding safety standards and trucking safety standards within their company.”

— Rep. Angel Ramirez, Democratic Representative

“That's where the problem lies — when you're paying somebody 30 or 40 cents a mile, they're not going to be the best driver out there when the rates should be 50 to 60 cents a mile.”

— Marcus Coleman

What’s next

The bill will go back to the Iowa Senate for another vote after the House amended the Senate's original version, before it can reach the Governor's desk for final approval.

The takeaway

This debate over the Iowa CDL bill highlights the complex issues surrounding road safety, worker exploitation, and the need to balance enforcement of regulations with supporting vulnerable communities. The focus on penalizing companies rather than individual drivers reflects a growing recognition that systemic problems in the trucking industry require systemic solutions.