The US Department of Transport’s English language proficiency rules are hitting transporters, with a reported 40 Mexican truck drivers losing driving privileges.
A report from news channel, BorderReport.com, said the Mexican truckers, recently stopped in Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas, lost the ability to drive on US highways due to their lack of English skills.
The crackdown on commercial drivers’ English language proficiency comes after President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order on 28 April directing the Department of Transportation to enforce English language proficiency requirements among commercial truck drivers.
Subsequently, DOT Secretary, Sean P. Duffy signed an order implementing the new guidelines to strengthen English language enforcement for commercial truck operators.
The order stated that those commercial (CMV) drivers who failed to be proficient in English would be barred from driving on US roads.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said upon signing the May order: “Americans are a lot safer on roads alongside truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs.
“This common-sense change ensures the penalty for failure to comply is more than a slap on the wrist.”
Under the DOT regulations, commercial truck drivers must be able to read and speak English so as to converse with the public, understand highway and traffic signals in English, respond to law enforcement or official requests or directives, and complete relevant reports and records.
Truck drivers who are caught after failing the language requirements can face fines of $10,000 to $50,000 USD (€8500 – €42,500).
.png){kind=small}
