On March 6, 2025, TikTok user @rawnyates311 shared a video (archived) asserting that an official stopped him while he was driving his truck at a weigh station in Arkansas, requesting proof of his ability to read and write in English. The creator of the video, Rawn Yates, did not clarify the specific agency or organization the official represented. Yates relayed that the official mentioned he would face a fine if he failed the unexpected test, and possible arrest if he was unable to pay the fine.
Unbelievable. While passing through Arkansas, I thought it was a joke. I was stopped at the weigh station, and the official handed me a piece of paper, asking: “Can you read and write English?” I replied, “Yes, sir, I can.” He insisted I read it aloud, and after I complied, he asked me to write it down on another paper, which I did. I noticed that several others around me had already written on similar papers. I even witnessed people being handcuffed, and when I questioned the official, he stated: “If you can’t read or write in English, it’s a $5,000 fine. If you run a business in Arkansas employing individuals who lack these skills, the fine is $10,000, payable immediately. Fail to pay, and you’ll be arrested and lose your license.” What a shocker.
Claims like Yates’ continued to spread on X (archived), Facebook (archived), Threads (archived) and Bluesky. Although Yates didn’t name a specific agency in his video, some social media users alleged that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was responsible for administering these tests.
We reached out to Yates to confirm his assertions and await his reply. He has been creating trucking-related content on TikTok since 2022.
Additionally, we contacted the Arkansas Department of Transportation and Arkansas State Police to ascertain whether their personnel were conducting English reading and writing assessments at weigh stations and if such tests resulted in arrests. We will update this report upon receiving a response.
As of now, we have not located any credible reports indicating that authorities have halted truckers, either in Arkansas or elsewhere, to administer English tests that would lead to penalties for failure.
TikTok Allegations Reflect Proposed Arkansas House Bill Fines
Yates’ assertion regarding truckers lacking proficient English skills facing a $5,000 fine echoed a proposed bill introduced in the Arkansas House of Representatives on February 24, 2025—approximately ten days prior to Yates’ video.
