Worth noting that America does not have an official language. Trump tried to declare one via an executive order last year, which is likely not legal, like most of his executive orders. I think imposing an English test is a bit arbitrary and not inline with the culture of America, which is to be a welcoming melting pot.
That said, unrelated to language, it does seem like there is a lot of fraud in the testing and licensing of commercial drivers. I’ve seen videos where investigations showed a sophisticated scheme of fake testers filling in for the actual driver.
tocs3•1h ago
I do not like the idea of throwing up road blocks solely to make life harder for any group of people. It seams many times laws and regulations are made for purposes other than the ones stated by supporters. So, the following is more of a general observation. I like that the US does not have an official language.
It might be worth noting that someone driving on US roads is going to see mostly English on signs and in the event that they need to speak to someone (road blocks, traffic stops, weigh stations, etc.) it will likely be spoken English. Also, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_English. It might be worth making English something to have to know to be a commercial driver.
Bender•1h ago
I do not like the idea of throwing up road blocks solely to make life harder for any group of people.
Neither do I. Such tests are supposed to be performed at weigh stations. In my opinion a road block would only be required if unqualified truckers are sharing notes on how to bypass weigh stations and there are no cameras catching this behavior or if unqualified drivers are traveling in packs to cause back-ups at the weigh stations. That needs to be fixed if so.
delaminator•1h ago
Federal Law 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2), part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
> a CDL driver must be able to:
> read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records required to be kept.
Bender•1h ago
Worth noting that America does not have an official language
I know this will not be a HN aligned comment but all of the street signs are in US English. That is what drivers are tested on and required to understand by law. I do not blame the drivers, I blame whoever told the DMV to license these people illegally. They need to be fired and their agency fined for all the damages they have indirectly caused. Repeated incidents must result in said agency losing the ability to issue commercial drivers licenses or any license for that matter and the individuals causing this need to go to prison in general population with the lifers.
An empty big-rig (tractor + trailer) can be around 35,000 pounds. Loaded can be up to 80,000 pounds and some can get special permits to go higher. That weight combined with speed can turn any car into a crushed soda can. The person or AI behind the wheel absolutely must be the most qualified person on the road and better ace any test or reading and comprehension test related to road regulations and signs.
SilverElfin•2h ago
That said, unrelated to language, it does seem like there is a lot of fraud in the testing and licensing of commercial drivers. I’ve seen videos where investigations showed a sophisticated scheme of fake testers filling in for the actual driver.
tocs3•1h ago
It might be worth noting that someone driving on US roads is going to see mostly English on signs and in the event that they need to speak to someone (road blocks, traffic stops, weigh stations, etc.) it will likely be spoken English. Also, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_English. It might be worth making English something to have to know to be a commercial driver.
Bender•1h ago
Neither do I. Such tests are supposed to be performed at weigh stations. In my opinion a road block would only be required if unqualified truckers are sharing notes on how to bypass weigh stations and there are no cameras catching this behavior or if unqualified drivers are traveling in packs to cause back-ups at the weigh stations. That needs to be fixed if so.
delaminator•1h ago
> a CDL driver must be able to:
> read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records required to be kept.
Bender•1h ago
I know this will not be a HN aligned comment but all of the street signs are in US English. That is what drivers are tested on and required to understand by law. I do not blame the drivers, I blame whoever told the DMV to license these people illegally. They need to be fired and their agency fined for all the damages they have indirectly caused. Repeated incidents must result in said agency losing the ability to issue commercial drivers licenses or any license for that matter and the individuals causing this need to go to prison in general population with the lifers.
An empty big-rig (tractor + trailer) can be around 35,000 pounds. Loaded can be up to 80,000 pounds and some can get special permits to go higher. That weight combined with speed can turn any car into a crushed soda can. The person or AI behind the wheel absolutely must be the most qualified person on the road and better ace any test or reading and comprehension test related to road regulations and signs.