Are Unsafe CDL Drivers Being Licensed in Washington?

Lately, the CDL training industry has come under increased scrutiny. Tragic accidents and enforcement actions have raised legitimate concerns about unqualified drivers, language barriers, and safety standards.

We understand these concerns. These conversations are being fueled by real events. But not all programs are created equal. At New Sound CDL School, we follow every rule, train our students to the highest standards, and ensure all graduates are qualified, safe, and English-proficient before entering the workforce.

Let’s talk about what’s actually going on, and how we ensure every graduate meets federal safety and language requirements before getting behind the wheel.

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What’s Happening in the Transportation Industry?

This new wave of attention didn’t come out of nowhere. Several recent news stories have highlighted issues in some CDL training programs.

A Tragic Crash in Florida

In August 2025, a truck driver caused a crash in Florida that killed three people. That driver had received his CDL in California and Washington, but questions were raised about whether he understood English well enough to operate safely in the first place. The investigation included taking the driver through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) English Language Proficiency test. He only answered 2 of 12 verbal questions correctly and identified just 1 of 4 traffic signs according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

A Federal Crackdown on Language Rules

In response to that crash and others like it, the FMCSA reminded states that CDL applicants must prove they can speak and read English. States that fail to enforce this rule now risk losing federal transportation funding. This all comes just a few months after the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean P. Duffy, rolled out new guidance for enforcing required English proficiency standards among truckers.

A CDL Bribery Scheme in Washington

In June 2025, KING 5 News reported on a suspended Washington CDL school that was under investigation for bribing state examiners to issue CDLs to unqualified drivers without testing. Upon retesting 74 of their past students who were currently licensed, 80% of them failed the CDL exam.

These are real problems. And we share in the urgency to ensure every CDL program trains safe, road-ready drivers who meet every federal requirement.

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Misunderstandings About CDL Schools

Some assumptions are now floating around in response to these headlines. Let’s look at what’s true—and what isn’t.

“CDL schools are passing anyone, even if they don’t speak English.”

This is not true of legitimate schools. The FMCSA requires that all CDL applicants must understand English well enough to:

• Converse with law enforcement
• Read highway signs and signals
• Respond to official questions during the test

At New Sound, we follow those rules strictly. If a student can’t pass the English portion of the CDL exam, we do not graduate them.

We do have multilingual instructors to support students while they learn—but every student is still tested in English and must meet the federal standard. Multilingual support does not replace English proficiency, but merely serves as a bridge to connect ideas and concepts in students' minds.

“Drivers who speak English as a second language are unsafe.”

This is an inaccurate generalization. Many drivers speak more than one language—and many learned English as a second language. They still have to satisfy a safe degree of English proficiency with no shortcuts and no exceptions. Every student must complete:

• English-only pre-trip inspections
• English-only written exams
• English-only road tests

“CDL programs are pumping out unqualified drivers.”

Unfortunately, that has happened at some schools. But not here. We keep our student-to-truck ratios low and prioritize mastery, not volume. We do not graduate students who are unable to exhibit English and trucking proficiency. Our CDL exam pass rate is over 80% because we train hard and only send students out who are ready for the road.

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How We Train Safe, Qualified, English-Proficient CDL Drivers

At New Sound CDL School, our training process is built for long-term success. We prepare every student to be road-ready, regardless of their background.

Here’s how:

1. We Simulate the Actual Exam—In English

From day one, we use the exact language and structure of the official CDL test. Our instructors don’t “translate the answers” or cheat the system. Students get English-language coaching to prepare for the test—and the job.

2. We Offer Manual and Automatic Training

Many schools only offer automatic trucks. We train on both. Students who pass on manual trucks avoid the “automatic restriction” on their license, which gives them more job options.

3. We Track Progress Daily

Our instructors coach students one-on-one, check in daily, and assign targeted drills. If a student isn’t ready, we don’t send them to test until they are. No guesswork.

4. We Work With the DOL, Not Around It

We don’t have access to test answers. We don’t influence who passes. Washington’s Department of Licensing (DOL) sends independent examiners who follow strict protocol. Our job is to prepare students so well that they pass on their own.

5. We Welcome Oversight

We are a state-licensed CDL training facility that has passed every inspection. Our instructors are certified, our equipment is modern, and our curriculum is compliant with federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) standards.

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Safety is the Priority in CDL Training

Real safety comes from high standards, not sweeping generalizations.

We train drivers who meet federal safety rules, English language requirements, and real-world skill benchmarks. Every student earns their license by meeting the same standards—no matter what language they speak at home. If English is your second language, here’s what we want you to know:

• You are welcome here.
• You will be trained to the highest standard.
• You will not be allowed to take shortcuts.
• You will be tested fairly and thoroughly.

We don’t lower the bar for anyone. We raise it—and help you reach it.

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Train the Right Way at New Sound CDL School

Not every CDL school is equal. If you're serious about becoming a professional driver, don’t gamble on cheap programs or shortcuts.

At New Sound, we train you the right way—so when you pass, nobody can question your qualifications.

Want to learn more about how our program works? Contact us. We’ll show you everything—our trucks, our training yard, our instructors, and our plan for your success.