SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — President Donald Trump earlier this week signed an executive order mandating truck drivers pass an English literacy test before they can drive legally in the United States.
The White House said many truck drivers can’t communicate with law enforcement or understand road signs making it dangerous for everyone on roadways.
Truckers will now have to show they have basic English skills or face being “placed out of service.”
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“My Administration will enforce the law to protect the safety of American truckers, drivers, passengers, and others, including by upholding the safety enforcement regulations that ensure that anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in our national language, English,” the executive order reads.
Alfonso Hernandez, a trucker based in Sacramento, said he is OK with the mandate.
“At least some English,” he said. “If all the truckers know English, it’s going to be better for everyone.”
Hernandez spoke with Border Report at a truck stop near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry southeast of San Diego.
Alfonso Hernandez, left, and Kelvin are truck drivers who differ on President Donald Trump’s executive order mandating truckers pass an English literacy test before being allowed to drive legally in the United States. (Salvador Rivera/Border Report)
Another driver, Kelvin, disagreed with Hernandez, saying their ability to drive safely is not contingent on how well they know the English language.
“The aggressive way they’re doing it from one day to the next is something too strict and worrisome,” Kelvin said. “I’m asking him to be considerate, we’re all part of the commerce along the border and we’re only trying to do the best job possible.”
Kelvin said he speaks enough English to drive safely and interact with law enforcement, but it’s another thing to have an officer interpret his level of competency.
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“It depends on the officer who stops you and how lenient he wants to be.”
He admitted not knowing how the English tests will be administered, something that has not been made public.
The Trump administration has yet to announce how it will enforce the executive order.
Some states, such as Arkansas, already have similar rules in place that include fines of up to $10,000 for truckers who don’t comply.
