State lawmakers are working to keep unsafe truck drivers off the road.
Over the past year, Arkansas and Oklahoma passed laws to improve English skills for truck drivers.
In the coming months, lawmakers in many states are expected to discuss similar rules for truck drivers and others.
State action points to federal rules on English-language skills
Federal law already says truck drivers must be able to read road signs and speak English well enough to follow directions. But for much of the past 10 years, drivers who did not meet this rule were not taken off the road.
Last year, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association asked that the penalty be brought back. Soon after, President Donald Trump signed an order to reinstate the rule.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance then brought back penalties for truck drivers who do not meet the English requirement.
Pennsylvania
Several efforts are underway at the Pennsylvania statehouse to deal with concerns about truck drivers’ English skills.
The legislation follows a warning last November from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. He said the federal government could hold back $75 million in funding if Pennsylvania does not fix problems with non-domiciled CDLs.
About a month later, Senate Transportation Committee Chairwoman Judy Ward, R-Blair, held a hearing on CDL licensing and road safety.
Ward said she plans to introduce three bills to address these issues. The first bill would target CDL training providers that are not properly qualified.
It would change the state education code to improve training programs and strengthen penalties to shut down unqualified “CDL mills.”
The second bill would require all CDL test applicants to prove they can understand English. PennDOT could still offer the CDL manual in other languages.
The third bill would create new penalties for out-of-service violations, such as driving a large truck without understanding English.
A related House bill would set tougher rules for getting a driver’s license. The rules would apply to truck drivers and motorists.
Republican Reps. Marla Brown of New Castle and Joe Hamm of Cogan Station are sponsoring the bill.
New drivers would have to pass an English test before getting a license. All driver’s license tests would also be given only in English.
In a memo, the lawmakers said not being able to speak or understand English is a serious safety issue.
“We cannot allow drivers who do not understand the English language to obtain a driver’s license within Pennsylvania,” the memo says.
Right now, Pennsylvania already gives road tests only in English. The bill would also require written tests to be given only in English.
PennDOT would create an English test to make sure new truck drivers and other drivers can read and speak English.
Drivers who already have a license or are renewing one would not need to take the test. However, legal immigrants who already have a license would need to pass the English test to renew it.
Unlike the Senate bill, this version would allow PennDOT to offer the driver’s manual only in English.
The bill would also ban the use of interpreters at any point during the license tests.
Indiana
A top Indiana lawmaker has introduced a bill to address the issue.
House Roads and Transportation Committee Chair Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, is sponsoring the bill. HB1200 would require future truck drivers to “demonstrate sufficient proficiency” in English to safely drive a commercial vehicle.
The bill lists four ways drivers must prove English skills.
Drivers must be able to talk with the public. They must understand road signs and signals in English. They must be able to answer questions from officials. They must also be able to fill out reports and safely operate a commercial vehicle.
The bill has not yet been scheduled for a committee hearing.
Illinois
An Illinois House bill would toughen rules for truck drivers or motorists who are not ready to be on the road.
Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is sponsoring the bill. HB4184 would stop non-U.S. citizens from applying for or renewing a driver’s license or permit. Only U.S. citizens could apply for a commercial learner’s permit.
Niemerg said the truck driver part of the bill would “prohibit lawfully permanent residents or foreign domiciled persons from applying for a commercial learner’s permit.”
The bill would also require drivers to prove they know English. Drivers would have to show they can read and write in English.
Missouri
A Missouri House bill would change CDL rules to make sure truck drivers can read and speak English.
Rep. Carolyn Caton, R-Blue Springs, is sponsoring the bill. HB2741 would require CDL applicants and current drivers to show they can read and speak English.
Under the bill, a truck driver must be able to talk with the public, understand road signs and signals, answer questions from officials and fill out reports and records.
Drivers who break the rule could be placed out of service and fined $500. Drivers who keep driving while out of service could face fines of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.
The bill would also hold trucking companies responsible. A motor carrier could be fined $3,000 for each violation by one of its drivers.
HB2741 is awaiting assignment to a committee.
New Hampshire
A New Hampshire bill focuses on CDL testing.
HB1252 would require the state DMV to give CDL skills tests only in English. The bill would also ban interpreters.
Supporters say the bill would just make a current federal rule part of state law. Federal rules already require CDL skills tests to be given in English.
The bill is now in the House Transportation Committee.
Wyoming
In Wyoming, a bill would enforce English-only rules for truck drivers.
The Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee is supporting the bill.
HB32 would punish truck drivers who keep driving after being told to stop. Drivers could be fined up to $2,000 or face up to 90 days in jail.
County sheriffs and local police would enforce the fines. Jail time would apply to truck drivers who break the rule.
The bill can be considered during the session that begins next month. LL
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