DRIVERS will face hefty $500 fines if they’re unable to correctly answer questions in a new crackdown.
The new law came into force on Monday, so drivers will need to make sure they don’t get caught unprepared on the road.
GettyAnyone not demonstrating all four criteria face a $500 fine[/caption]The official Act 604 means that those behind the wheel are now required to have adequate proficiency in English.
Truck drivers could now be slapped with a levy if they do not fulfil four different quotas.
The first is that the individual must be able to converse with the general public.
Law enforcement will also be looking for an understanding of highway traffic signs and signals.
Another determining factor will be the ability to respond to official inquiries.
Drivers will also be expected to make entries on reports and records.
Any truck driver not demonstrating all four could be hit with a $500 fine.
This rises to $1,000 for all subsequent offenses.
The new law in Arkansas, which technically requires basic English proficiency for CDL holders, was gutted several years back.
In 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration stopped requiring drivers to take an interview to prove their English proficiency during roadside inspections.
Communicating through interpreting services were allowed at the time, but that’s no longer the case.
Doug Morris, the director of state affairs for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, expressed concerns about large carriers continuing to exploit foreign drivers.
“We generally support the intent of HB1745 in the Arkansas legislature but wish the bill went further to address the underlying issue: corporate megacarriers recruiting foreign truck drivers to undercut the ability of American truckers to earn a decent living,” Morris told Land Line.
“Corporate megacarriers will use every loophole available, including those previously established by the FMCSA, to save a buck on the backs of American truckers.
English profiency test
Anyone operating a commercial vehicle in Arkansas now has to prove their English proficiency by showing the following four critera:
Once the bill is signed into law, anyone operating a commercial vehicle must exhibit English proficiency. Truck drivers must be able to show that they can read and speak English sufficiently to:
They can hold conversation with the general public They understand highway traffic signs and signals in English They can respond to questions from cops They can make entries on reports and records“We are actively pursuing solutions on the state and federal level to right this wrong.”
Act 604 means that for foreign-based drivers, having the proper documentation is more vital than ever.
Without a valid work permit or visa, a driver could face Class D felony charges – even if they possess a valid foreign CDL.
An invalid CDL will also result in felony charges.
The law was passed by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who signed HB1745.
HB1745 breezed through the legislature with the bill meeting a unanimous vote last week.
GettyThe levy then rises to $1000 for all subsequent offences[/caption] Read More Details
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