WASHINGTON, (May 23, 2005) — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has amended its out-of-service criteria — requiring carriers ensure their drivers can properly communicate in the country or jurisdiction they’re operating in.

The CVSA — a nonprofit organization of federal, state and provincial government agencies and representatives of private industry in the U.S., Canada and Mexico — has adopted a language proficiency provision in its OOS criteria similar to a U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulation.

The FMCSA rule in 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2), requires commercial truck drivers to speak English sufficiently to converse with the general public, read traffic signals and signs, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports or records.

CVSA had previously not included such a provision in its OOS guidelines. However, the new language standard states that “in recognition of the three (member CVSA) countries’ language differences, it is the responsibility of the driver and motor carrier to be able to communicate in the country in which the driver/carrier is operating so that safety is not compromised.” If the driver is unable to communicate sufficiently or understand respond to official inquiries and directions, CVSA says, the driver may be placed out of service.

Other amendments include:

If a driver has a log falsification he/she will be placed out of service even if that falsification occurred prior to the current 60 hour or 70 hour rule period.

Additionally, a vehicle will be placed OOS if it is carrying dangerous goods for which an ERAP is required and is absent.