Thread: Missouri law now mandates English-only CDL tests as of 8/28

August 28, 2008

Missouri law now mandates English-only CDL tests

Aspiring truck drivers in Missouri now must prove they have a firm grasp of the English language to obtain a commercial driver’s license. The new rule took effect Thursday, Aug. 28.

Signed into law this spring, it requires the state’s written CDL test to be offered only in English. Applicants will also be required to have the ability to understand traffic signs and signals written in English. They will be prohibited from using interpreters while taking the test.

Advocates for the protection said the change is necessary because of concerns that people are allowed to drive trucks on Missouri roads without a command of the English language. They point out that federal regulations require applicants to be able to “read and speak the English language sufficientlyâ€

[quote]Opponents said there are no studies that suggest English proficiency makes better drivers. They also voiced concern that adopting the strict standards would push certain trucking companies to go “undergroundâ€

They should only allow U.S. citizens to have CDL's. Period.

[quote]Opponents said there are no studies that suggest English proficiency makes better drivers. They also voiced concern that adopting the strict standards would push certain trucking companies to go “undergroundâ€

I AGREE LEGALATINA. THAT WOULD SIMPLIFY EVERYTHING. ALSO IT WOULD BRING BACK THE INTEGRITY OF THE DRIVERS LICENSE AS ID.

I'm seeing places like Missouri and Maricopa county as well as Oklahoma as being testbeds for future federal enforcements.

If you see an article in your local paper about your state, or a neighboring state enforcing English only CDL test please post it here.

Originally Posted by legalatina

They should only allow U.S. citizens to have CDL's. Period.

Ditto! It should be MANDATORY across this nation that EVERY drivers exam be given in English only! if you cannot understand enough basic English to pass a driver exam, then you probably shouldn't be on the roads! Trust me, these people will suddenly become quite proficient in the English language if getting a drivers license is dependent upon it!