Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Driver English Proficiency Assessment Checklist
Driver Name: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Assessor Name: ______________________
Position Applied For: ______________________
1. Conversational English
Assess the driver’s ability to understand and respond to basic spoken English.
Pass [ ] Fail - Greeted and responded appropriately to a basic introduction
Pass [ ] Fail - Answered simple questions about background (e.g., where are you from?)
Pass [ ] Fail - Followed a brief spoken instruction (e.g., "Please walk to that door and return.")
2. Reading Comprehension
Assess the driver’s ability to read and understand written English.
Pass [ ] Fail - Read aloud a traffic sign (e.g., "No U-Turn") and explained its meaning
Pass [ ] Fail - Read a short paragraph from the driver manual and summarized it
Pass [ ] Fail - Read a sample logbook entry or form and answered questions
3. Written Communication
Assess the driver’s ability to complete forms and write simple statements.
Pass [ ] Fail - Completed a sample driver logbook form accurately
Pass [ ] Fail - Wrote a brief sentence about their last job (e.g., "I drove a flatbed truck for 3 years.")
Pass [ ] Fail - Completed a mock roadside inspection form
4. Road Instruction Comprehension
Assess understanding of verbal instructions during a vehicle walk-around or test drive.
Pass [ ] Fail - Understood and followed instructions during a pre-trip inspection
Pass [ ] Fail - Responded appropriately to directions during a short road test
Assessment Result
Pass - Meets FMCSA English proficiency standards
Fail - Additional training or ESL support recommended