Trucking School in New Jersey Emphasizes English Skills
LINDEN, New Jersey (AP) — Students at a New Jersey trucking school are navigating 18-wheelers around traffic cones, while others are checking under the hoods for safety issues, explaining their inspections as they go.
Importance of English Language Proficiency
An instructor alternates between Spanish and English to guide Manuel Castillo, a Spanish-speaking student, in performing a school bus inspection. They use printed scripts to practice the English phrases he will need during road inspections.
Executive Order Heightens Language Requirement
The urgency for future and current truck drivers to enhance their English skills has increased following President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that those who cannot read or speak English fluently are unfit for service.
New Regulations for Commercial Drivers
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized, “A driver who can’t understand English will not drive a commercial vehicle in this country.” The updated procedures mandate thorough inspections to ensure that commercial drivers can communicate in English and comprehend traffic signs.
Concerns Among Non-Native Speakers
Many truck drivers who have learned English as a second language fear job loss over potential language errors or heavy accents when questioned. To improve their skills, some engage in classes, script practice, and watch instructional videos.
Reinforced Language Requirements
Though English proficiency requirements for truck drivers are not new, penalties for non-compliance are now stricter. While obtaining a commercial driver’s license requires passing tests in English, the revised policy has toughened penalties for those who don’t meet the expected proficiency standards.
Support Initiatives and Educational Programs
In Laredo, Texas, the Laredo Motor Carriers Association is providing free weekend English classes to help truckers gain communication confidence. Meanwhile, schools like Driving Academy in New Jersey utilize multilingual teaching methods and encourage students to use educational videos and apps to improve their English on the road.
