Wyoming expands enforcement of English proficiency for truck drivers
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) has signed legislation giving all Wyoming police officers the authority to place truck drivers out of service for failing to meet English proficiency standards.
Previously, only members of the Wyoming Highway Patrol were allowed to place these truck drivers out of service.
The Wyoming law also imposes a $1,000 fine for truck drivers who fail to demonstrate English proficiency. If they return to the road without demonstrating English proficiency, they face another $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
Similar legislation was passed on March 6 by the Alabama Legislature and has been sent to Gov. Kay Ivey (R) to sign. A truck driver who fails an English proficiency test and receives a traffic citation faces a $1,000 fine for the operator and $2,000 for the motor carrier. Fines would double on subsequent violations.
Presenting a fraudulent foreign commercial driver’s license or operating without required immigration and work authorization documents would be classified as Class D felonies, with fines for both drivers and motor carriers.
Indiana is among several additional states currently considering legislation to boost oversight and enforcement of truck drivers’ English proficiency and immigration status.
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