Truck Drivers Are Getting Pop English Tests Now And Cameras Are Rolling

Several months ago, the federal government in the U.S. strengthened regulations that require semi-truck drivers to be able to read and speak English. Since then, many states have followed the direction to begin testing drivers suspected of not conforming to that rule.

While there have been scattered reports of drivers being taken off the road after failing these tests, few have shown exactly how that unfolds in practice. Today, we get an officer’s viewpoint as a driver takes the test and fails.

Officer’s-Eye View

In what’s believed to be the first publicly recorded instance of an English proficiency test for a commercial driver, an Arkansas Highway Police officer recently pulled over a semi driver who struggled to identify basic road signs.

The video begins with the officer questioning why the driver had chosen to park in a particular spot, setting the tone for what would become a revealing encounter.

More: Texas Suddenly Decides Some Truck Driver Licenses Are Now Worthless If You’re A Non-Citizen

The truck driver responds, “Yeah, I’m parked here three hours.” The officer asks again, only to get a puzzled look from the driver.

When the officer asks if there’s anyone else in the truck, the driver responds “Yeah, my company.” Later, the officer asks what company the driver works for, and they respond, “California.”

Notably, the truck itself appears to be leased to Edline Freight Inc., which is based in Rowland Heights, CA. According to the NHTSA, the company reports that 25 percent of its 28 drivers are currently out of service. The national average of drivers in that state is just 6.67 percent.

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