CDL English Readiness™
FMCSA Safety Communication Training
CDL English Readiness™ is a structured, task-based safety communication readiness program for veterans, military spouses, and multilingual CDL candidates. It prepares learners to meet the English communication expectations of FMCSA 49 CFR §391.11(b)(2) through occupational English training—not ESL.
A Preventable Barrier in CDL Pathways
Many strong CDL candidates — especially veterans, military spouses, and multilingual learners — do not fail because of driving skill. They struggle with FMCSA-required English safety communication tasks:
- Pre-trip inspection explanation
- DOT roadside communication
- Hours-of-Service/logbook clarity
- Road sign interpretation
- Incident reporting
- Dispatcher instructions
These communication gaps derail training and increase safety risks.
Why CDL English Readiness™ Is NOT ESL
ESL teaches:
- •Grammar
- •Conversation
- •Social English
- •Academic English
CDL English Readiness™ teaches:
- •Safety communication
- •Regulatory readiness
- •Pre-trip verbalization
- •DOT officer dialogue
- •HOS/logbooks
- •Road sign interpretation
- •Incident reporting
The program supports bilingual learners in safety-critical roles, veterans, CDL schools and more.
Standards-Based. Equity-Driven. Safety-Aligned.
CDL English Readiness™ is grounded in authoritative national frameworks that support fairness, clarity, and safety in communication training for CDL candidates.
FMCSA
49 CFR §391.11(b)(2)
English safety communication requirement. Drivers must be able to converse in English, understand traffic signs, respond to officials, and complete required reports and records.
View FMCSA RegulationACTFL
CDL English Readiness™ uses ACTFL proficiency descriptors (Novice High → Intermediate Low → Intermediate Mid → Intermediate High → Advanced Low → Advanced Mid → Advanced High → Superior) to support fair, consistent instructional design. These levels do not represent regulatory standards.
View ACTFL GuidelinesLanguage Testing International
Language Testing International (LTI) is the exclusive and sole source provider of ACTFL assessments to determine language proficiency. LTI provides diagnostic categories such as Functions, Accuracy, Fluency, Comprehension, and Text Type. Used here for training clarity, not for assessment purposes.
View LTI WebsiteDepartment of Labor
The Department of Labor provides guidance on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensuring equitable and nondiscriminatory communication support for adult learners in federally-funded programs.
View DOL Title VI GuidanceCDL English Readiness™ uses ACTFL-informed descriptors and LTI-aligned diagnostic categories solely to support equity and instructional consistency. These frameworks help structure communication training relevant to FMCSA §391.11(b)(2), without establishing or implying any regulatory proficiency level.
The CDL Readiness Journey™
- Awareness & Intake
- Readiness Screening
- Diagnostic Mapping (ACTFL-informed)
- Task-Based Safety Communication Modules
- Documentation
- Reassessment
Modules Include:
We Support:
Founding Pilot Partner Opportunity
La Gente Consulting, LLC is selecting five organizations to help shape the national CDL English Readiness™ model.
The 90-day pilot includes:
- ✓Readiness Assessment
- ✓Diagnostic Mapping
- ✓Task-Based Modules
- ✓Documentation Framework
- ✓Final Outcomes Report
Zero cost. Non-binding. High impact.
Explore Pilot ParticipationContact Us
Ready to learn more about CDL English Readiness™? We'd love to hear from you.