Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would increase the number of truck drivers transporting goods to address supply chain shortages.
The Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-Takers Now Safely and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act of 2025 would make permanent several waivers the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the bill, state and third-party examiners are permitted to administer the commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge test without completing a CDL knowledge test training course if they have maintained a valid CDL and test examiner certification, and have previously completed a CDL skills test examiner training course.
States would be permitted to administer a driving skills test to any out of state CDL applicant regardless of where the applicant received driver training.
“Illinois and America’s truck drivers are essential to securing our supply chains and supporting our economy,” U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), who introduced the bill, said. “Unfortunately, we are experiencing an unprecedented shortage of qualified truck drivers because of bureaucratic red tape. The LICENSE Act will streamline the process for future commercial drivers to get their licenses while maintaining high safety standards. This commonsense legislation will strengthen Illinois’ economy and support supply chains while allowing companies to hire qualified drivers in a timely manner.”