Bill > HB1252

This bill amends New Hampshire's commercial driver's license (CDL) testing requirements to mandate that skills tests be administered exclusively in English, prohibiting the use of interpreters during the examination. Specifically, the bill modifies existing law to require that CDL applicants must be able to understand and respond to verbal commands and instructions in English from the skills test examiner, with no communication permitted in any language other than English during the test. The change aligns with federal regulations found in 49 C.F.R. part 383, which establishes minimum standards for commercial driver licensing. The bill maintains existing requirements that applicants must be New Hampshire residents and pass both knowledge and skills tests, but adds the new English-only provision to ensure that test-takers can comprehend and follow instructions in English, which is deemed critical for safe commercial driving. The new provisions will take effect 60 days after the bill's passage, giving the Department of Motor Vehicles time to implement the new language requirements for commercial driver's license skills testing.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1976&inflect=2