New Legislation Proposed for Stricter English Requirements for Truck Drivers

Senate Republican Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming is set to propose a new bill aimed at implementing tougher English proficiency standards for commercial truck drivers. This initiative follows a 2016 rule change during the Obama administration that relaxed these requirements.

Lummis’s proposed legislation will introduce several necessary standards, ensuring that truck drivers are capable of communicating effectively with the public, comprehending traffic signs and signals in English, responding to official inquiries, and accurately completing reports and records.

Legislation for Safer Highways

Lummis emphasized the importance of highway safety, stating, “Wyoming families and travelers deserve safe highways.” She believes the new legislation will guarantee that commercial drivers can read signs, understand traffic laws, and communicate with law enforcement and emergency responders.

This proposal aligns with an executive order issued earlier this year by former President Donald Trump, which also aimed to impose stricter English requirements for drivers. Both Lummis’s bill and Trump’s order would classify drivers who fail to meet these standards as “out of service,” reinstating stricter enforcement after the leniency established in 2016.

Correction of Previous Administration’s Policies

“This legislation will correct the major mistake the Obama administration made in undermining these rules,” Lummis noted, adding that it will codify Trump’s Executive Order for enhanced highway safety for all Americans. While English proficiency standards for truck drivers have been in place for years, the 2016 memo from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration instructed inspectors to issue warnings rather than immediate penalties for those not meeting the criteria.

Lummis’s bill, which she plans to introduce alongside Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, is also supported by a companion bill in the House led by Rep. Harriet Hageman, both known as Connor’s Law. The name honors 18-year-old Connor Dzion, who was tragically killed in a traffic accident involving a truck driver in Florida in 2017.

Recent Tragedies Fueling the Need for Legislation

Recent incidents, including a collision involving an illegal immigrant truck driver in Florida that resulted in three fatalities, have further sparked the urgency for these standards. Florida Senator Ashley Moody has also introduced measures to enhance English proficiency requirements for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to prevent similar tragedies.