Senate Republicans Propose Stricter English Proficiency Rules for Truck Drivers
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., is introducing a new legislative proposal that would require commercial truck drivers to meet stringent English proficiency standards. The bill would mandate that drivers demonstrate the ability to converse with the public, understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records. The legislation is designed to enhance safety on American highways, particularly in response to recent incidents involving foreign-born truckers.
The initiative comes amid heightened political focus following two high-profile accidents in Florida involving foreign drivers. In 2017, a Canadian truck driver, Yadwinder Sangha, struck a standstill traffic jam and killed 18-year-old Connor Dzion. More recently, Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant from India, allegedly crashed his tractor-trailer after making an illegal U-turn on a Florida highway, leading to the deaths of three passengers in a minivan. These incidents have sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of English language requirements for truck drivers.
Lummis’ bill would classify truck drivers who fail to meet the English proficiency standards as ‘out of service,’ a move that mirrors President Donald Trump’s executive order from earlier this year. Unlike the 2016 Obama-era rule, which instructed federal inspectors to issue warnings and citations instead of out-of-service penalties, the proposed legislation would enforce stricter measures to ensure compliance. Lummis emphasized that the changes are necessary to align with Trump’s policies and correct what she describes as a ‘major mistake’ by the Obama administration.
The bill, named Connor’s Law after the Florida teenager killed in 2017, also has a companion version in the House, introduced by Rep. Harriet Haggeman, R-Wyo. Additionally, Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., has introduced legislation to crack down on commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued to illegal immigrants. The measure aims to align stricter English proficiency requirements with the licensing process for commercial truck operators.
Supporters of the legislation argue that the proposed rules are a necessary step to ensure that drivers can communicate effectively with law enforcement and emergency responders, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall road safety. Opponents, however, have raised concerns about the administrative burden of enforcing such requirements and the potential impact on immigrant drivers who may not speak English fluently but still operate legally within the country.
As the legislation moves forward, it is expected to face scrutiny from both industry stakeholders and advocacy groups, as they weigh the balance between safety and accessibility for all drivers. The debate highlights broader concerns about immigration policy, language barriers, and the role of federal oversight in ensuring compliance with transportation regulations.