New HampshireNew Hampshire requires English for commercial driver’s license tests
People taking New Hampshire commercial driver’s license tests must use English for both tests; a federal exemption may allow an interpreter.
What it does
The knowledge test must be written and given in English. Applicants and examiners must use English during it, though a federal exemption may allow an interpreter.
Applicants taking the driving skills test must understand and answer an examiner’s spoken English instructions. Both must use English, though a federal exemption may allow an interpreter.
The Department of Safety must set rules for taking and passing both tests in English without an interpreter. A federal exemption may still allow an interpreter.
Argument forEnglish instructions during the skills test could help examiners check whether applicants can understand spoken driving directions.
Argument againstApplicants who know the driving rules but struggle to read English could have trouble passing the knowledge test.
More detail
The Department of Safety must give the knowledge test in written English. This covers people taking the knowledge test for a New Hampshire commercial driver’s license. Applicants and examiners must use English during the test. People who qualify or previously qualified for a federal exemption under 49 C.F.R. part 391 may use an interpreter. These test requirements took effect August 31, 2026.
Applicants must understand and answer a skills examiner’s spoken English instructions. This covers people taking the driving skills test for a New Hampshire commercial driver’s license. Applicants and examiners must use English during the test. People who qualify or previously qualified for a federal exemption under 49 C.F.R. part 391 may use an interpreter. These test requirements took effect August 31, 2026.
The Department of Safety must set rules for administering both tests in English without an interpreter. The rules apply to New Hampshire commercial driver’s license knowledge and skills tests. The rules cover the requirement to earn a passing score on both tests. A federal exemption may allow an interpreter. The rulemaking provision took effect August 31, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 10Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 221; eff. 8/31/2026Became Law
- Jun 23Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 52To Governor
- Jun 23Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14Minor
- May 21House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1736s (Rep. T. Walsh): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22
- May 7Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1736s, RC 14Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Ought to Pass w/Amendment. Result: pass.Upper
- May 7Committee Amendment # 2026-1736s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
- Apr 30Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1736s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17Minor
- Apr 8Hearing: 04/14/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 14
- Mar 17Introduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 7Minor
- Mar 12Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1010h: MA RC 194-156 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 76Passed House
- Vote recorded OTPA. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12FLAM # 2026-1104h (NT) (Rep. Coker): AF DV 169-177 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 74
- Mar 12Amendment # 2026-1010h (NT): AA DV 184-158 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 74
- Mar 4Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
- Mar 4Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1010h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 74Minor
- Feb 18Executive Session: 03/03/2026 11:00 am GP 234
- Feb 18Public Hearing: 03/03/2026 10:20 am GP 234
- 2025
- Dec 1Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 1 P. 12Introduced
Transportation