NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The General Assembly approved legislation to enhance safety on Tennessee roads by requiring enforcement action when commercial drivers cannot meet English proficiency standards.
House Bill 1817, sponsored by State Rep. Lowell Russell, R-Vonore, requires law enforcement officers to issue an out-of-service order to a commercial driver if they cannot sufficiently read or speak English to communicate with the public, understand traffic signs and signals, or respond to official inquiries.
“These drivers are responsible for operating vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds at highway speeds and they must be able to read road signs and communicate effectively,” Russell said. “This bill ensures Tennessee law enforcement can take immediate action when a driver cannot meet that standard and protect everyone on the road.”
This legislation aligns state law with existing federal standards and ensures Tennessee can continue enforcing these requirements at the state level, if authorized and assured it won’t risk federal transportation funding.
Drivers issued an out-of-service order would also have their CDL suspended until they can pass the written CDL test administered in English by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Several incidents involving illegal immigrant, or non-English proficient, commercial drivers have sparked safety concerns among citizens, including a crash in Indiana that killed four people and another incident in Missouri where an illegal immigrant was filmed driving in the wrong direction.
“House Bill 1817 is also in response to concerns from constituents and local law enforcement following commercial vehicle crashes on State Route 68 across Coker Creek Mountain where the drivers reportedly could not read road signs,” Russell said.
The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature.
Lowell Russell represents District 21 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes part of Loudon and Monroe counties.
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