Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

HB 1252 · 2026 · House · Transportation Committee

English-only commercial driver's license tests

AI-generated

(New Title) requiring the department of safety to only administer tests for commercial driver's licenses in English and prohibiting the assistance of an interpreter during such tests.

Requires commercial driver's license knowledge and skills tests to be administered only in English without an interpreter, with an exemption for individuals who qualify under a federal exemption, and directs the department of safety to adopt implementing rules.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 10, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill codifies the recent enforcement of a federal requirement that the administration of the skills test for commercial driver's licenses only be conducted in English, and that interpreters are not permitted for the administration of the skills test.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Ted GorskiRPrimeVice Chair· Transportation
  • Rep. Thomas WalshRChair· Transportation
  • Rep. Brian LabrieRClerk· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. James CreightonRChair· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Sen. Denise RicciardiRChair· Transportation

Also: Rep. Matt Sabourin dit ChoinièreR

Public testimony

352 signed in online · 63 wrote testimony

1% support99% oppose0% neutral

ForDrivers should be able to read road signs for public safety

AgainstDiscriminatory toward immigrants and non-English speakers

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is a common sense public safety bill. We should not facilitate the ability to drive approximately 80k pound vehicles here when they can't read the road signs. Any state that does so should be held liable for the inevitable issues.”
— Simon Berrio, Daltonsupports
“How is this enforced? What prevents an examiner from cheating for fear of applicant not understanding his commands while the car is moving?”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“There is no need to deny people the ability to take a commercial driver's license skills test because English is not their first language. These people are trying to better themselves and support our transportation needs.…”
— James Mason, Hancockopposes
“This bill is slap yourself on the back, make some headlines, grandstanding. When this language requirement means far fewer waste management and other municipal service drivers who will do these needed jobs? People need jobs, the state needs that work.…”
— Hannah Eldridge, DOVERopposes
“There is no official language of the United States. People who speak all languages should have the same opportunities in the Live Free or Die state.”
— Veronica Joyce, Manchesteropposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-03-039:00 amHouse TransportationGP 234Public hearing
  • 2026-03-0311:00 amHouse TransportationGP 234Public hearing
  • 2026-04-141:00 pmSenate TransportationSH 122-123Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Transportation HJ 1 P. 12
  2. Mar 3, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/03/2026 10:20 am GP 234
  3. Mar 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/03/2026 11:00 am GP 234
  4. Mar 3, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1010h (NT) 03/03/2026 (Vote 9-7; RC) HC 10 P. 74
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 12, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1010h (NT): AA DV 184-158 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 74
  7. Mar 12, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-1104h (NT) (Rep. Coker): AF DV 169-177 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 74
  8. Mar 12, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1010h: MA RC 194-156 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 76
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 7
  10. Apr 14, 2026SenHearing: 04/14/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 01:40 pm; SC 14
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1736s, 05/07/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1736s, AA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  13. May 7, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1736s, RC 14Y-8N, MA; OT3rdg; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  14. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1736s (Rep. T. Walsh): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 22
  15. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  16. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  17. Jul 2, 2026HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 07/02/2026; Chapter 221; eff. 8/31/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.