Illinois residents applying for Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) can now take their written test in Spanish thanks to a new initiative to increase accessibility and address truck and school bus driver shortages, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced on Monday. Illinois joins more than 20 states, including Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Texas, in offering this test in Spanish. In addition to the test, the Secretary of State’s office has also translated CDL study guide materials, making them available in Spanish. Having a Spanish translation of the written test will assist with accessibility and is part of a larger effort to address a shortage of CDL drivers, including school bus drivers and agricultural producers who rely on temporary agricultural workers. Applicants must still complete their road test and pre-trip inspection in English as applicants must understand basic verbal instructions to comply with federal guidelines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).  As of July 2024, there were more than 378,500 drivers with valid CDLs in Illinois, with new licenses issued each week. Applicants can go online or call (217) 785-3013 to make an appointment.