Illinois Secretary of State’s Office Now Offering
Written CDL Test and Study Guide in Spanish

Increasing Accessibility for Aspiring CDL Drivers

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office has announced a significant initiative aimed at improving accessibility for aspiring Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders. As of July 2024, Illinois residents can take the written CDL test in Spanish. This move, spearheaded by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, is designed to address truck and school bus driver shortages in the state. The office desires to make the licensing process more inclusive for Spanish-speaking individuals.

Joining a Growing List of States

Illinois is now among more than 20 states, including Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Texas, that offer the written CDL test in Spanish. This initiative also includes the translation of CDL study guide materials into Spanish, providing comprehensive support for Spanish-speaking applicants.

Enhancing Service Accessibility

“Offering the CDL test in Spanish is one of the many steps our office is taking to ensure our services are as accessible and inclusive as possible,” Giannoulias stated. “This change will help qualified individuals whose primary language is Spanish to become licensed drivers and will help us address school bus and truck driver shortages across the state while maintaining stringent testing standards.”

Pedro Martinez, CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), emphasized the importance of this initiative for the education system. “Allowing bus driver applicants to test in Spanish will help increase access to becoming a bus driver, mitigating the driver shortage that CPS and other school districts have faced over the past few years.”

Addressing Driver Shortages

The availability of the CDL written test in Spanish is part of a broader effort to tackle the shortage of CDL drivers, including school bus drivers and agricultural workers. The translated test ensures that individuals who do not speak English as their primary language can understand the technical information required for the test without altering the testing standards or CDL requirements.

Federal Guidelines and Requirements

Despite the translation, applicants must still complete their road test and pre-trip inspection in English, as required by federal guidelines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This ensures that applicants understand basic verbal instructions, which is crucial for safety and compliance.

Applicants must also meet all other criteria, including permitting and training requirements, to receive their CDL. Additionally, all CDL applicants must have U.S. citizenship, legal permanent residency status, or be a non-domiciled driver.

Impact and Availability

As of July 2024, Illinois has over 378,500 drivers with valid CDLs, and new licenses are issued each week. Applicants interested in taking the written test in Spanish can make appointments online or by calling (217) 785-3013.

The written CDL test is available at various facilities across the state, including:

• Belleville
• Bethalto
• Bloomington
• Carbondale
• Carmi
• Champaign
• Decatur
• East St. Louis
• Edwardsville
• Fairfield
• Freeport
• Galesburg
• Hillsboro
• Jacksonville
• Jerseyville
• Lake Zurich
• Macomb
• Mattoon
• Metropolis
• Morris
• Nashville
• Pekin
• Plano
• Pontiac
• Roanoke
• Robinson
• Rockford Central
• Sparta
• Springfield-Klein
• Sterling

For those needing both written and driving tests, facilities are available in:

• Bradley
• Charleston
• Dekalb
• Effingham
• Elk Grove Village
• Marion
• Mascoutah
• Olney
• Peoria
• Princeton
• Quincy
• Rantoul
• Rockford CDL
• Salem
• Silvis
• South Holland
• Springfield-Dirksen
• Tilton
• West Chicago

Looking Ahead

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office’s decision to offer a written CDL test in Spanish marks a significant step toward inclusivity and accessibility in the licensing process. By supporting Spanish-speaking individuals in obtaining their CDLs, Illinois aims to address critical driver shortages and ensure that essential services, such as school transportation, continue to operate smoothly.