Truck drivers who struggle to read road signs or communicate with police are facing a tougher spotlight across the country.
Federal rules have long required commercial drivers to know enough English to read road signs, follow directions and answer questions during inspections. For years, though, drivers who failed to meet those standards were often still allowed to drive.
That is changing.
After a push from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, tougher enforcement returned. Soon after, President Donald Trump signed an order reinstating penalties for drivers who fail to meet English-proficiency rules.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance followed suit. It reinstated out-of-service penalties for drivers who cannot meet the standard.
Now, states are taking those federal rules and writing them into state law.
Arkansas and Oklahoma led the way last year. More states have joined the fight this year.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is the latest state to tighten the English proficiency rules.
A new law requires that all CDL knowledge and skills tests be given in English.
Before the change, applicants could take the knowledge test in six other languages.
Starting Aug. 31, truck drivers who passed the knowledge test in another language during the past five years must retake it in English. If they do not, they could lose their CDL privileges.
Interpreters are also banned during testing.
Supporters say the law simply brings New Hampshire in line with federal rules. Those rules require CDL holders to communicate in English.
Joe Scully is president of the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association. He told lawmakers the bill helps ensure the state’s CDL holders meet the standard.
Rep. Ted Gorski, R-Bedford, said even highly trained drivers can face sudden emergencies.
“Our roadway signs are in English,” Gorski said. “If someone is going to be driving such a potentially dangerous vehicle, we ought to expect that the driver can understand the signals and signs on I-93.”
California
California lawmakers are pushing back against federal CDL penalties.
The California Senate approved a resolution asking Congress to revisit federal CDL disqualification rules and the penalties tied to them.
SJR16 urges federal officials to review the rules and consider changes to penalties that can suspend or revoke a CDL.
Supporters say truck drivers are the backbone of the supply chain. Without them, goods do not move, and businesses take the hit.
Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced, said federal rules have led to an estimated 17,000 CDL suspensions. She said another 13,000 licenses have been canceled.
Caballero said the federal crackdown followed a deadly Florida crash involving a California-based driver.
“The federal authorities turned a tragic accident into a weapon against hardworking immigrant drivers,” Caballero said. “Canceling these licenses only drives prices higher.”
The resolution now heads to the Assembly.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving to tighten English proficiency rules.
A bill moving through the statehouse would require English proficiency for all CDL testing.
Pennsylvania already requires road tests to be taken in English. SB1295 would extend that rule to written tests.
CDL manuals could still be offered in other languages.
Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, said the bill closes loopholes that allowed truck drivers who don’t meet federal standards to keep driving.
The goal, she said, is simple: Keep safety standards high and make sure qualified drivers are behind the wheel of some of the biggest vehicles on the road.
The Senate has passed the bill. It now sits in the House Transportation Committee. LL
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