Driving into a new era of road safety, the Oklahoma House of Representatives has taken firm action to bolster licensure rigor for commercial drivers. As reported by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the newly passed Senate Bill 20 is set to integrate tighter standards for commercial driver licenses (CDLs). The Oklahoma Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act of 2025, spearheaded by Rep. Jonathan Wilk, R-Goldsby, is aimed at undoing the loosened requirements that have been in place since 2016.
In the quest to tighten the reins, this bill calls for all non-domiciled CDL holders to provide proof of citizenship – which can be a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a valid passport, along with a valid work visa. Additionally, the legislation takes a tougher stance on temporary visa holders, restricting their ability to drive commercial vehicles amidst concerns regarding road safety and work visa violations, with stiff penalties including fines up to $2,000 and vehicle impoundment.
"Safety on our roads starts with qualified drivers," Wilk was quoted as stressing, emphasizing the importance of these imposed standards for those operating heavy commercial machinery, as per the Oklahoma House. In an effort to press responsibility onto employers, SB20 goes further by outlawing the act of hiring drivers who fail to meet these rejuvenated criteria. There's also a strategic approach to linguistic comprehension, requiring a solid grasp of English from the drivers that, if not met, could lead to a $5,000 fine—a move that Wilk believes will benefit everyone on the road.
Wilk, during discussions on the House floor, articulated his gratitude towards his legislative peers and the trucking industry for their contributions to SB20. "Everyone deserves to feel safe on the road," Wilk added, highlighting the dual focus on driver qualification, and corporate accountability, as noted by the Oklahoma House. After the House passed the bill with a convincing majority of 74-15 votes, the proposed legislation is now ready to travel back to the Senate for final consideration on these House amendments.
